Crush kills 29 pupils taking exams after blast in Central Africa
The blast, on the second day of the high-school final exams on Wednesday, occurred at an electricity transformer, said Abel Assaye from the Bangui community hospital.
"The noise of the explosion, combined with smoke" caused alarm among the almost 6,000 students sitting the baccalaureate at an exam centre in the capital, Bangui, local radio station Ndeke Luka reported.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a period of national mourning.
He also ordered that the more than 280 who were wounded in the crush get free treatment in hospital.
The CAR continues to face political instability and security challenges.
Government forces, backed by Russian mercenaries, are battling armed groups threatening to overthrow Touadéra's administration
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Focus on Africa
This Is Africa
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Washington Post
Islamic State extremists exploit instability in Africa and Syria, UN experts say
UNITED NATIONS — Islamic State extremists are exploiting instability in Africa and Syria and remain a significant threat in Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe, U.N. counterterrorism experts said Wednesday. The militant group is now using advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, and social media, which poses a new challenge, the experts told a U.N. Security Council meeting.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Islamic State extremists exploit instability in Africa and Syria, UN experts say
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Islamic State extremists are exploiting instability in Africa and Syria and remain a significant threat in Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe, U.N. counterterrorism experts said Wednesday. The militant group is now using advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, and social media, which poses a new challenge, the experts told a U.N. Security Council meeting. The Islamic State group declared a self-styled caliphate in a large swath of Syria and Iraq that it seized in 2014. It was declared defeated in Iraq in 2017 following a three-year battle that left tens of thousands of people dead and cities in ruins, but its sleeper cells remain in both countries and it has affiliates and supporters in many other countries. The U.N. has seen a resurgence of activity by the Islamic State in the Sahel — in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — and in West Africa the group has emerged 'as a prolific producer of terrorist propaganda and attracted foreign terrorist fighters, primarily from within the region,' said Vladimir Voronkov, who heads the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism. He said arrests in Libya have revealed logistics and financing networks with connections to IS in the Sahel. In Somalia, Voronkov said, a large-scale IS attack was countered by Somali security forces and some 200 IS fighters were killed and over 150 arrested. But he said despite the losses IS still benefits from regional support networks and remains a threat. In northcentral Africa's Lake Chad Basin region, the Islamic State is 'increasingly receiving foreign material and human support to conduct its operations, including money, drones and expertise on improvised explosive devices,' said Natalia Gherman, who heads the executive directorate of the U.N. Counter-Terrorism Committee. 'Its ability to adapt and exploit instability continues to pose significant challenges, particularly in parts of Africa,' she said. 'The continent bears over half the world's fatalities from terrorist attacks.' In the Middle East, Voronkov said IS is active in Iraq and Syria, where it is trying to restore its operations in the northwest Badia desert region and renew effort to destabilize local authorities. He said the militants are exploiting security gaps, conducting covert operations and inciting sectarian tensions in Syria. In Afghanistan, the Islamic State group's Khorasan affiliate 'continues to represent one of the most serious threats to Central Asia and beyond,' Voronkov said, citing its targeting of civilians, minority groups and foreign nationals. Gherman added that IS-Khorasan is using 'propaganda tactics and online campaigns' to try to recruit and fundraise in Central Asia and Europe. She called for innovative responses to the Islamic State group's use of artificial intelligence and social media for recruitment, fundraising and propaganda. 'Although AI is being harnessed to amplify the group's reach and impact, it also holds significant potential for states to enhance the detection, prevention and disruption of terrorist activities,' Gherman said. Elisa De Anda Madrazo, president of the Financial Action Task Force, which researches how terrorism is financed, said a major change is that 'Digital platforms such as social media, messaging apps and crowdfunding systems are increasingly being abused for terrorist financing.'
News24
7 hours ago
- News24
Luxury travel agency slammed; DA MP recalls horror attack: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. 'Worst experience ever': Luxury travel agency hauls clients to court over scam claims - Luxury travel agency Blacktrotters Afrika is seeking an interdict against two clients who publicly accused the company of providing subpar service and prioritising celebrities and influencers, labelling it a 'scam'. - The clients, Sethanyi Boitumelo Setati and Linda Oliphant, detailed their negative experiences on social media, citing issues like flight arrangements, accommodation, and unequal treatment compared to other travellers. - Blacktrotters Afrika denies the allegations, claiming they treat all clients equally and that issues encountered during trips were largely beyond their control. They offer refunds and investigations for complaints. 'The blood was squirting': DA MP recalls horror attack in Philippi Cape Town - Three DA MPs were attacked in Philippi, Cape Town, after an oversight visit to a SAPS training academy. - The MPs were warned of an impending attack moments before their vehicle was ambushed, resulting in injuries to all three. - Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with the attack and are expecting to make another arrest soon. Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images 'BEE not discriminatory': Mashatile defends SA's transformation policies - Deputy President Paul Mashatile defends South Africa's B-BBEE Act, stating it's not discriminatory but a transformative policy to correct past injustices. - South Africa faces international pressure from the US regarding its racial equity laws and B-BBEE, while domestically, the DA challenges employment equity laws. - The government aims to align policies with inclusive growth and equal opportunities, leveraging economic diplomacy and structural reforms. Some schools may face hefty tax shock in 2026 under new law - Schools that have previously claimed VAT may face tax bills as the government tightens regulations. - Under a new proposal, all schools must deregister as VAT vendors by 1 January 2026, and repay 'exit VAT' on assets. - The proposed amendment allows schools to pay the VAT bill in 12 monthly instalments and prevents SARS from reopening past tax assessments finalised before 1 January 2026. Mlungisi Louw/Volksblad/Gallo Images US seeks clarity on SA's Iran stance, expressing 'great concern' following Maphwanya trip - The US government is 'greatly concerned' about statements made by SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya in Iran and is seeking clarification on South Africa's policy regarding Iran. - Defence Minister Angie Motshekga defended Maphwanya's visit as pre-planned and denied he had gone rogue, while other South African officials distanced themselves from his remarks. - The incident has created a diplomatic predicament for South Africa, potentially impacting trade negotiations with the US and raising questions about the general's constitutional mandate. Proteas spinner Subrayen flagged for suspect action, Maharaj returns to ODI bowling summit - Keshav Maharaj has regained the No. 1 spot in the ICC's ODI bowling rankings after his five-wicket haul against Australia. - Prenelan Subrayen, who debuted in the same match, has been reported for a suspect bowling action and will undergo assessment. - Subrayen will not participate in the second ODI, further impacting the Proteas' bowling options after Kagiso Rabada's injury withdrawal. iStock via Getty Images SA bank cards that offer free global lounge access – and smarter pay as you go options - South African bank cards offer DragonPass or Amex lounge access, but walk-in passes (around R600) may be more cost-effective for infrequent international travellers. Premium bank accounts with lounge access come with higher fees, which may not be worth it for occasional use. - International airport lounges provide significant value with amenities like quiet spaces, showers, and food, especially during long layovers. Unlike domestic lounges, which are often overpriced, international lounges offer a worthwhile experience. - Many South African bank account holders may already have access to more than 1 000 international lounges through their cards via programmes like DragonPass. Activating these benefits through the bank's app can provide free lounge access, but it's essential to compare the cost of premium accounts versus occasional walk-in fees. Show Comments ()
