29 Youths Killed in Examination Hall Crush Following Power Surge

• An electrical explosion at a high school in Bangui, Central African Republic, caused a deadly stampede during national exams, killing at least 29 students and injuring hundreds more
• The blast occurred after power was restored by the national utility ENERCA, triggering panic among over 5,000 students at the examination centre
• Authorities have launched an investigation as the Education Ministry vows to ensure the continuation of the disrupted exams

A tragic incident unfolded in the Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, on Wednesday, as an electrical explosion at Barthelemy Boganda High School sparked mass panic and a stampede that left at least 29 students dead and hundreds injured.

The explosion occurred just as more than 5,000 students from six neighbouring schools gathered at the site to sit their final exams, according to the Education Ministry.

The school had been operating as a central examination centre.

A transformer located in the main building exploded shortly after a team from the national utility company, ENERCA, restored power, the Education Ministry stated.

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The blast caused widespread fear among the students, many of whom believed the structure was about to collapse.

“There was panic and some of the students jumped from the first floor,” a medical source told Reuters, adding that the students were between 18 and 22 years old.

That source placed the death toll at 31, while another hospital official confirmed that 29 people had died and around 260 were injured.

“We were really overwhelmed. It was terrible. Dozens of victims were arriving,” said one of the overwhelmed medical workers.

The Education Ministry described the situation as resulting in “a number of serious injuries, unfortunately including some fatalities”.

It has pledged to investigate the cause of the incident and to ensure the remaining exam sessions continue without disruption.

Authorities are still working to confirm the final number of victims and determine accountability in the wake of the devastating event.

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Speaking with Legit.ng, AbdulRasheed Hussaini, a public expert based in Nigeria, said the explosion was a clear example of systemic failure:

“The tragedy at the shool is a devastating reminder of the consequences of systemic neglect in public infrastructure and emergency preparedness. That an electrical transformer could explode during a high-stakes national exam, really points to a failure in basic safety protocols and risk assessment.”

About Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked nation in the heart of Africa, bordered by Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon. Despite its rich natural resources—including gold, diamonds, and timber—CAR remains one of the world’s poorest and most fragile countries.

Its capital, Bangui, lies on the Ubangi River and serves as the political and economic hub. The country has endured decades of political instability, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises, with over 400,000 internally displaced persons and hundreds of thousands more seeking refuge abroad.

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CAR gained independence from France in 1960 and has since struggled with governance challenges and underdevelopment. The population, estimated at over six million, faces widespread poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and frequent electricity shortages.

Policeman reportedly kills final-year student

Legit.ng earlier reported that a Nigerian university student, Ahenjir Emmanuella, has been fatally shot by a stray bullet allegedly fired by police officers during a stop-and-search operation at the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, the capital of Benue state.

The incident reportedly occurred early Friday morning, May 16, when officers from the Benue state police command were conducting routine checks at the busy intersection.

Source: Legit.ng