Bangui: At least 29 students lost their lives and 260 others were injured following an explosion that led to a stampede at a high school in the Central African Republic. The tragic incident unfolded at Barthelemy Boganda High School, where more than 5,300 students were present for the baccalaureate exam.

According to Anadolu Agency, the explosion occurred when a transformer, owned by the national electricity company ENERCA, malfunctioned. The chaos that ensued as students attempted to flee resulted in a deadly stampede.

In response to the tragedy, President Faustin-Archange Touadera announced three days of national mourning. He called for national unity and support during what he described as "this time of hardship," emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances and to hold those responsible accountable.