Officials said that at least 25 children were killed in a preschool fire in south-central Niger on Monday. The children are between five and six years old.
14 people were injured, 5 people are in critical condition, Ministry of Education Said in a statement.
The ministry said Monday’s preschool fire destroyed three thatched-roof classrooms in Maradi.
“At the moment we cannot explain the origin of the fire,” said Maman Hdi, the district education director.
He said that the class had been suspended and Maradi announced three days of condolences.
In Niger, when the main brick structure cannot accommodate all school children, overflow classrooms are usually built of wood and straw. BBC News pointed out.
“It’s better to have a class under a tree than in a thatched hut, which has become a flammable grave for students,” Issoufou Arzika, Secretary General of Teachers Union, Told AFP on Monday.
This is the second major school fire in Niger this year.The first one was in April and Killed about 20 children, Destroyed 8 straw classrooms and 30 permanent classrooms.
The Council of Ministers said on Monday that after the two incidents, pre-school classes were not allowed in thatched-roofed huts.
