“Our children deserve better”: Cardinal in CAR Following Deadly High School Stampede

Bangui, 26 June, 2025 / 11:52 PM

Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR) has expressed sorrow over the tragic stampede that occurred on Wednesday, June 25 at Barthélemy Boganda High School in Bangui, resulting in 10 deaths and multiple injuries.

In a statement issued Thursday, June 26, Cardinal Nzapalainga extends his condolences to and solidarity with grieving families.

“Our children deserve better, and the future of our country depends on them,” the Cardinal said, emphasizing the need for care and protection of youths.

The member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans/CSSp.) assure the victims and their families of his “prayers and paternal blessings.”

On June 25, a power transformer exploded at Barthelemy Boganda High School in Bangui, triggering a panic-induced stampede among the 5,300 students present for the baccalaureate exam, resulting in at least 10 deaths and dozens of injuries, RFI reported.

The RFI report further indicates that dozens of victims were evacuated in rickshaw ambulances and motorcycle taxis to hospitals.

In a statement, CAR’s Minister of National Education, Aurélien Simplice Zingas, provided details about the tragic incident.

“Following a technical breakdown, a team from Enerca (Central African Energy Company) intervened to carry out repair work. The restoration of electricity then caused an explosion in the electricity transformer located on the ground floor of the main building,” Minister Zingas says in his June 25 statement.

He adds, “This incident triggered a panic and caused several serious injuries, unfortunately resulting in some cases of loss of life.”

The Education Minister also offers “sincere condolences to the parents of the affected candidates and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured candidates.”

“I call on candidates at Barthélemy Boganda High School centers to remain calm and collected. Steps will be taken quickly to clarify the circumstances of this incident, and a subsequent press release will indicate the date for the resumption of the remaining examinations at these centers,” Minister Zingas further says.

In his June 26 statement, the Local Ordinary of Bangui Archdiocese urges authorities to “demonstrate a high sense of responsibility and to ensure the protection of our children, future leaders and pillars of our society.”