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School fire in Bangui kills 21, including students and school president, UN briefing says
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Summary
Jean Pierre Lacroix told the Security Council that an electrical malfunction at a Bangui secondary school’s baccalaureate exams caused a fire that killed 21 people, wounded dozens and left some in critical condition; MINUSCA is supporting national authorities.
Jean Pierre Lacroix, speaking to the United Nations Security Council, said a fire at a secondary school in Bangui on the day of baccalaureate exams killed 21 people, including 19 girls and the president of the institution, and wounded dozens more.
Lacroix, briefing in accordance with a June 13 report of the secretary-general, said the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction and that some of the wounded remain in critical condition. He said MINUSCA, the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, was fully engaged alongside national authorities and stood ready to provide assistance to the affected people.
The briefing did not specify the precise name or ownership details of the school beyond the reference in the session. Lacroix extended condolences to the families of the victims and to national authorities, and described the mission’s readiness to support the emergency response.
No operational timeline for MINUSCA assistance or a breakdown of injured by age or condition was provided during the briefing. Lacroix did not give an exact count of critically wounded beyond saying that some were in critical condition.
The Security Council record reflects the UN Secretariat’s call for prompt national investigation and for coordination between MINUSCA and Central African authorities to respond to humanitarian and protection needs arising from the incident.
