Maradi school fire
| Date | 8 November 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location | Maradi, Niger |
| Deaths | 26 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 14+ |
On 8 November 2021, a classroom in a primary school caught fire in the city of Maradi in southern Niger. As a result, 26 children were killed and more than fourteen were injured.[1][2][3]
Background
[edit]Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, school buildings are usually made of weeds and straw.[4][5] Straw huts are frequently used as "temporary overflow structures" since Niger's school system is overwhelmed by the amount of children needing education.[6][7] On 13 April 2021, a school fire in Niamey killed at least 20 pupils.[3] The secretary general of the Niger Teacher's Union, Issoufou Arzika, said that the union had warned government officials of the risks of schools built out of flammable materials. He said that "[i]t is better to hold classes under trees than in straw huts, which have become flammable graves for pupils."[8]
Fire
[edit]According to Maradi Governor Chaibou Aboubacar, the fire in three classrooms in the private school killed 26 preschoolers between the ages of 5 and 6. Fourteen pupils were also injured in the incident, five of them in critical condition.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. However, the fire spread rapidly as the school building.
Aftermath
[edit]Chaibou Aboubacar declared three days of mourning in Maradi.[1] UNICEF Niger representative Stefano Savi offered his condolences to the families of the victims and said that UNICEF would continue to work towards ensuring the safety of Niger's schools.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "School fire kills at least 25 children in Niger". CNN. Reuters. 9 November 2021.
- ^ "At least 26 children die in Niger school fire". Al Jazeera. 9 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Niger classroom fire kills at least 25 schoolchildren". BBC News. 8 November 2021.
- ^ Wasike, Andrew (9 November 2011). "Fire at school in Niger leaves at least 26 children dead". Anadolu Agency.
- ^ "Niger school fire leaves dozens of children dead". TRT World.
- ^ Siena, Nina (9 November 2021). "At least 25 Children Burnt To Death, Dozens Injured As Fire Engulfs School In Niger". The Latin Times. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "Niger school fire kills 20 children". The National. Associated Press. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "At Least 26 Children Dead In Niger School Fire". NDTV. Agence France-Presse. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "Statement by UNICEF Niger Representative Stefano Savi following school fire in Maradi". UNICEF. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
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