At least 29 students have been confirmed dead and dozens more injured after a deadly stampede broke out at a school in the Central African Republic during high school examinations.
The tragedy occurred on Tuesday morning at the Lycée de Fatima in Bangui, the country’s capital, where thousands of students had gathered to sit for their national high school exams. According to local authorities, the crush began when a large crowd tried to force their way into the already overcrowded examination centre.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as panicked students pushed through narrow gates, leading to many being trampled or suffocated in the confusion. “There were too many students and not enough space,” said one survivor. “People started falling, and others were stepping on them. It was terrifying.”
Rescue teams and Red Cross volunteers rushed to the scene to provide emergency aid and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Health officials confirmed that 29 students most of them teenagers died from injuries sustained in the stampede. More than 40 others were treated for fractures, bruises, and trauma.
Education Minister Gisèle Bedan expressed deep sorrow over the incident and promised a full investigation. “This is a national tragedy,” she said during a press briefing. “We mourn with the families of the victims and are working to ensure such a disaster never happens again.”
Preliminary reports suggest that poor crowd control, limited infrastructure, and inadequate coordination contributed to the disaster. Officials acknowledged that the examination centre was operating beyond its capacity, raising concerns over the planning and safety measures put in place.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a day of national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the students. He has also instructed relevant ministries to support affected families and to review exam procedures across the country.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and grief among citizens, with many calling for accountability and better protection of students during public examinations. Civil society groups and education unions are urging the government to decentralise exam centres to prevent overcrowding and improve school safety.
As families prepare to bury their loved ones, the nation is left reeling from one of the worst school-related disasters in its history.
