On Wednesday, on the second day of high school finals, the blast created a scene of terror among approximately 6,000 students taking the critical exams. Local radio source Ndeke Luka reported that the combination of the loud explosion and smoke contributed to widespread alarm.

In the aftermath of this tragic event, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a national mourning period and has promised free medical care for the over 280 students injured in the ensuing chaos.

The unfortunate incident involved students from five different schools who had gathered at the exam center. The Central African Republic continues to grapple with ongoing political instability, as government forces, bolstered by Russian mercenaries, work to confront armed groups aiming to destabilize Touadéra's regime.