An explosion at an electrical transformer triggered a deadly stampede at a high school in Bangui, Central African Republic, killing at least 29 students and injuring more than 260 others during final examinations on June 25, 2025.
The incident occurred at Barthelemy Boganda High School when power was being restored to a malfunctioning electrical transformer located on the ground floor of the main building. An estimated 5,000 students from five different schools were taking their baccalaureate examinations when the explosion occurred, according to the country’s Ministry of National Education.
Most victims, including 16 girls, were pronounced dead at the scene following the stampede, while others died later at hospitals. The Ministry of Health reported that at least 260 students were injured and transported to various medical facilities throughout the city for treatment.
The explosion and resulting smoke caused panic among students who believed the building was collapsing. Abel Assaye from the Bangui community hospital confirmed the death toll to the BBC. Students described scenes of terror as thousands attempted to flee through limited exits.
One survivor told Radio France Internationale that the blast occurred during a history and geography examination. The student explained that pupils wanted to save their lives as they fled, but many encountered death because of overcrowding and the small size of the exits.
Another student, Alvin Yaligao, told the Associated Press that “the building shook and we were all terrified.” Many students jumped from upper floors in panic, while others were crushed in the stampede at exits. Emergency services and local residents rushed wounded students to hospitals, with some transported by motorcycle due to the overwhelming number of casualties.
A father of a 21-year-old victim recounted to Human Rights Watch how his daughter jumped from a second-story window during the chaos. He described how her friends and classmates waited over an hour for an ambulance before deciding to transport her by motorcycle, but she died on the way to the hospital. The student had been taking her baccalaureate exam and was excited about her future.
The incident sparked outrage among parents and community members who accused the government of negligence regarding the electrical infrastructure. Gédéon Cyr Ngaïssé, president of the school’s parents’ association, expressed condemnation of the incident, attributing it to a lack of maintenance. When officials and utility workers arrived at the scene, they were met with anger from crowds who pelted them with objects.
Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas issued a statement offering condolences to the families of affected students and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He also announced the suspension of further examinations following the incident.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra declared three days of national mourning from June 27 to 29 and issued an official order ensuring that all students injured in the stampede would receive free medical care. The government initially reported 20 student deaths and 65 hospitalizations in a July 1 statement, though journalists and witnesses reported higher casualty figures.
The government promised to conduct an investigation into the cause of the explosion. However, the response to memorial efforts became controversial when authorities arrested seven people, including three organizers, during a vigil held by civil society activists on June 27.
The Civil Society Working Group had organized the memorial ceremony to commemorate victims, call for safer schools, and demand an investigation. When denied access to hold the vigil at the school due to ongoing investigations, organizers selected a different location. However, the security minister declared the vigil unauthorized, citing a 2022 ban on protests in public spaces.
Police broke up the memorial service and arrested seven participants, including organizers Gervais Lakosso, Fernand Mandé Djapou, and Paul Crescent Beninga. Photos showing police beating vigil participants circulated on social media. The three civil society activists were informally accused during interrogation of association with criminals, though all detainees were subsequently released.
Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that students should not fear death or injury when attending school and have a right to full public accountability. He called on the government to conduct transparent and effective investigations rather than targeting those calling for accountability.
The Central African Republic continues to face political instability and security challenges, with government forces backed by Russian mercenaries battling armed groups threatening to overthrow Touadéra’s administration. The education infrastructure tragedy highlights ongoing governance issues in the country as families and communities seek answers about the preventable disaster.