Classroom Burned, 25 Elementary School Students In Niger Died

Illustration of a firefighter. (Wikimedia Commons/DVIDSHUB)

JAKARTA - At least 25 elementary school children were killed when a thatched-roof classroom at their school caught fire in southern Niger on Monday, the council of ministers said in a statement.

Fourteen more children were injured, including five in critical condition, the statement said. The school is in the city of Maradi, more than 600 km (370 miles) east of the capital Niamey.

"For now, we cannot say the origin of the fire," said Maman Hdi, Director of Regional Education, citing Reuters on November 9.

"Classes have been suspended and three days of mourning have been announced in Maradi," continued Maman Hdi.

It is the second time this year that fires have killed students in their classrooms in the West African country. Twenty preschoolers were killed in April in Niamey.

The council of ministers said Monday that after the two incidents, preschool classes should not be held in thatched-roof huts.

Meanwhile, citing the Daily Sabah, the fire that broke out on Monday afternoon destroyed three classrooms built of wood and thatch, said Governor Chaibou Aboubacar.

According to the United Nations, Niger, with a population of about 25 million, is one of the poorest countries in the world and has one of the lowest literacy rates in Africa.

Due to the low education budget, there are not enough schools in the country, with many makeshift buildings made of wood, straw, or corrugated iron. In fact, in some rural areas, classes are held in the shade of trees.