At least 26 children were killed and 13 injured on Monday

At least 26 children were killed on Monday when classrooms, made of straw and wood, caught fire in Maradi, southern Niger. The 26 dead were aged between five and six and a further 13 were injured. The fire comes just seven months after 20 children were killed in a school fire in the capital Niamey.

At least 26 children aged between five and six burnt to death on Monday when their straw and wood classrooms caught fire in southern Niger, seven months after a similar tragedy in the capital Niamey.

Authorities in Niger say a fire at a school in the southern city of Maradi has killed at least 26 children. Many others are being treated for severe burns. The fire happened in classrooms made of straw. The schoolchildren were aged between 3 and 8.

What people are saying?

Mayeni Jones The authorities have declared 3 days of mourning and suspended classes in all schools in the region of Maradi. It’s not yet clear what caused the fire but Niger has seen similar incidents in several schools this year, killing dozens of children – including in the capital Niamey.

Shadow It’s not entitlement to genuinely wonder why a school is made of straw and wood, when other buildings in the country are not. The true ignorance is you feeling a question makes people entitled, when they can see government buildings aren’t straw and wood themselves.