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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Culture & Society

Student Dies During State Exam in Bandundu After Collapsing

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A student died during the State Exam in Bandundu, Kwilu province, after collapsing during the test.
  • The finalist from Lycée Maria Goretti was rushed to the Bandundu General Reference Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
  • Relatives reported the student had pre-existing health issues, but officials have not yet released the exact medical cause of death.

The first day of the 2026 State Exam session in Bandundu, Democratic Republic of Congo, was tragically marked by the death of a student. The finalist, who attended Lycée Maria Goretti, collapsed and lost consciousness while taking her exams on Monday, June 22.

According to the testimonies gathered on site, the candidate suddenly lost consciousness in the examination room.

— WitnessesDescribing the moment the student collapsed during the exam.

Exam supervisors quickly evacuated the student to the Bandundu General Reference Hospital. Medical teams there confirmed her death shortly after she was admitted. The incident cast a somber shadow over the start of the crucial examinations.

According to her family, the student had been experiencing health problems in the week leading up to the exams. Despite her fragile physical condition, she was determined to sit for the tests to earn her diploma. Her condition worsened suddenly on the day the exams began.

Unfortunately, the medical teams could only confirm her death shortly after her admission.

— ReportDetailing the outcome of the student's emergency medical treatment.

School and medical authorities have not yet issued an official statement detailing the precise medical causes behind this tragic death. The event highlights the immense pressure students face during these high-stakes assessments.

Despite her physical fragility, she had insisted on presenting herself to obtain her diploma.

— RelativesExplaining the student's determination to take the exams despite health issues.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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