29 high-school pupils killed in crush in Central African Republic

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  • 29 high-school pupils killed in crush in Central African Republic

Twenty-nine students taking their high school exams in the Central African Republic died in a stampede sparked by an exploding power transformer, the health ministry told on Thursday. Just over 5,300 pupils were sitting the second day of the baccalaureat exams at the time of the explosion early Wednesday afternoon in Bangui.

President Faustin Archange Touadera, who was attending a summit of the Gavi vaccine alliance in Brussels, announced three days of national mourning. According to a document circulating on social media and authenticated by the health ministry, 29 deaths were registered by hospitals in the city.

Education Minister said in a statement Wednesday that "measures will be taken quickly to shed light on the circumstances of this incident". The minister added that a further statement would follow regarding a date for the students to resume their exams programme.

mitv