What started as a routine school day ended in unimaginable tragedy when a sudden blast triggered a wave of panic that killed 29 students and injured hundreds more in the capital of the Central African Republic.

On Wednesday, a catastrophic stampede unfolded at a high school in Bangui after an explosion at an electrical transformer caused thousands of students to flee in terror during a national examination, as the BBC reports.

The fatal chain of events began during the second day of baccalaureate exams, held at Lycée Barthélémy Boganda. Students from five different schools had assembled at the facility to sit for the crucial high school finals, a requirement for graduation. Roughly 6,000 pupils were present in the examination rooms when chaos erupted.

According to the Central African Republic’s Education Ministry, the explosion originated from an electricity transformer located on the ground floor of the school’s main building. The transformer had recently undergone repair and exploded when power was restored. The incident occurred while students were taking the history and geography portion of the exam.

Thick smoke and a loud bang spread quickly, causing fear to ripple through the crowded compound. Panic took hold of the packed rooms, turning order into chaos as students scrambled to escape what many thought was an imminent threat. Doors intended for calm entrances and exits became choke points as thousands rushed outward at once.

Survivor accounts paint harrowing picture

Medical officials confirmed that the students died in a deadly crush during the chaotic flight to safety. Abel Assaye, a spokesperson from Bangui’s community hospital, explained that the bulk of the injuries and fatalities occurred when students piled against each other trying to escape the smoky explosion site.

Local news outlet Ndeke Luka reported that it was the combination of a loud noise from the explosion and the sight of smoke that caused the eruption of panic. One female survivor told the BBC she lost track of her surroundings during the ordeal and has since suffered intense pelvic pain. “I don’t even remember what happened,” she said, recalling how the trauma hit her instantly after hearing the blast.

Another student, Magloire, spoke to Radio France Internationale about the panicked attempt to flee. "Students were trying to save their lives," he said. "But the door was really narrow, and not everyone could get out." The crush that followed turned deadly almost instantly, leaving behind devastation and confusion amid footprints and torn exam papers.

Mourning period announced

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra responded to the national tragedy by declaring a period of mourning. Flags flew at half-staff, and government officials paid tribute to the young lives lost in a system they were trying to graduate from. The president also announced that all medical care for the injured would be provided entirely free of charge.

The education minister, Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas, took swift action to prevent further harm, suspending all remaining baccalaureate exams. “I offer our sincere condolences to the parents of the affected candidates,” he stated. “And wish a quick recovery to the injured.”

Authorities are investigating how a transformer under repair could be reconnected unsafely, leading to such a deadly accident. The explosion underscores gaps in infrastructure reliability across the war-torn country, where such tragedies are often linked to systemic instability.

National instability heightens vulnerability

The Central African Republic has been struggling with continued unrest as armed groups seek to disrupt the government. Political instability looms large, with frequent clashes and infrastructure difficulties affecting everyday life. Russian mercenaries supporting the government have so far been unable to guarantee ongoing domestic security.

The overcrowded exam venue, which lacked sufficient emergency exits, also reflects broader issues in education infrastructure. Hosting thousands of students from multiple schools in a single structure created a dangerous bottleneck under unexpected stress. Experts say that both the density of the crowd and the layout of the building contributed to the magnitude of the tragedy.

Though unrelated to armed conflict, this incident illustrates how even simple technical failures can become life-threatening in an unstable environment. For many, the combination of dilapidated infrastructure, poor planning, and fear turned a milestone exam into a catastrophe.

Lessons to learn

1. Emergency planning is critical. Institutions hosting large gatherings—especially schools—must implement clear, rehearsed evacuation procedures. In this case, the absence of an orderly escape plan led to confusion and loss of life.

2. Infrastructure maintenance must include safety protocols. Connecting a transformer without ensuring its safety posed avoidable risks. Facilities should only resume function after being fully inspected and cleared by certified professionals.

3. Overcrowding turns minor incidents into mass casualties. Splitting large student groups across several exam centers instead of one central location may have reduced the death toll. Avoiding single point failures can make environments more resilient in an emergency.

Regardless of safety measures taken, it’s important to recognize that victims are never to be blamed. No one should be held responsible for panicking under life-threatening circumstances, especially when systemic safeguards were absent.

Why this story matters

This tragedy highlights the fragility of systems meant to nurture young people in conflict-affected areas. The students affected were not combatants or protesters—they were teenagers striving for education. Their deaths demand systemic reform and deeper attention to civilian safety.

For the broader global community, it serves as a reminder that under-resourced institutions can’t protect people in emergencies without proper planning. Accountability and reform must follow if such senseless losses are to be prevented. When even sacred spaces of learning become hotspots for disaster, it shows that national healing must begin with basic security and functional governance.