Power Transformer Explosion Kills 29 Students, Sparks Stampede in Bangui

A power transformer explosion at Barthelemy Boganda High School in Bangui, Central African Republic, triggered a stampede during the baccalaureate exams, killing at least 29 students and injuring hundreds more. The incident occurred as over 5,300 students were taking exams, leading to panic with some students jumping from the first floor in an attempt to flee. Hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of injured, complicating emergency response efforts. President Faustin Archange Touadera, attending a vaccine summit in Brussels, expressed condolences, declared three days of national mourning, and announced a judicial investigation into the incident. The Education Minister promised swift measures to clarify the circumstances and to reschedule the exams. The tragedy highlighted urgent concerns over infrastructure safety and the responsibility of authorities, with opposition parties condemning the government for failing to ensure student safety.