A Catastrophic explosion at Barthélemy Boganda High School in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, triggered a stampede that killed at least 29 schoolchildren, including 16 girls, and injured over 260 others.
The government has declared three days of national mourning as families and authorities grapple with the tragedy.
This incident occurred during higher-education exams attended by an estimated 5,000 students.
Explosion Sparks Deadly Panic
The explosion, caused by a malfunctioning electrical transformer, occurred midway through examinations, sending students into a panic.
The resulting stampede claimed most of the victims at the scene, with additional deaths reported at hospitals.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that at least 260 students were injured, with many receiving treatment at facilities across Bangui, including the Community Hospital, CHUC, and SICA hospitals.
Hospital Overwhelmed by Casualties
Abel Assaye, Director General of the Community Hospital, reported receiving 85 patients, including 65 in emergency, 10 in gynecology, and 10 in traumatology.
“We regrettably had 15 deaths—young girls, two pregnant women, and two boys,” Assaye said.
Security forces helped stabilize the situation, but the scale of the tragedy overwhelmed medical staff, who worked tirelessly to treat the injured.
Prime Minister Félix Molua visited hospitals to assess the condition of the injured, as authorities vowed to support affected families and investigate the incident.
Parents in Shock, Seeking Answers
The tragedy left parents devastated, with many rushing to hospitals in search of their children.
One parent recounted being summoned to the Community Hospital, where their daughter was in critical condition.
“When you have a child, you raise them to be your future. But now my daughter is in critical condition, and if she dies, my life will never be the same.
I pray she gets better,” the parent said, reflecting the anguish felt by many.
National Mourning and Investigation
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra declared three days of national mourning, and the government has ordered an investigation into the transformer explosion to prevent future tragedies.
The incident underscores the challenges of aging infrastructure in the Central African Republic, where schools often serve thousands of students under strained conditions.
As the nation mourns, calls for improved safety measures and infrastructure upgrades are growing, with families and survivors seeking answers and accountability.
Armenian Dram
Ghana Cedi
Gambian Dalasi
Guinea Franc
Nigerian Naira
CFA Franc BEAC
