Anger and grief gripped the central Tunisian town of Mazzouna on Tuesday as hundreds took to the streets to protest the deaths of three students who were killed when a school wall collapsed on Monday. The students, all teenagers preparing for their baccalaureate exams, died instantly, while two others suffered serious injuries.
According to the Civil Defense, the tragedy occurred when a visibly dilapidated wall gave way, crushing the students at a secondary school. The incident has reignited public fury over the deteriorating state of Tunisia’s public infrastructure and what many see as government negligence amid a deepening economic crisis.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and anger in Mazzouna. Protesters burned tires, blocked main roads, and vandalized a government vehicle. All local shops and schools were shuttered in mourning and protest. Demonstrators gathered outside the National Guard headquarters, demanding accountability and chanting against what they termed “systemic marginalization” of neglected regions like Mazzouna.
In a powerful display of national solidarity, protests also erupted in the capital, Tunis. Hundreds of young people filled the streets, echoing calls for the government’s resignation and chanting slogans against corruption and official neglect.
“This is not just about one school wall. This is about a state that has failed its young people,” said one protester in Tunis. “We are tired of mourning due to preventable disasters.”
Tunisia, grappling with economic stagnation, rising debt, and high youth unemployment, has seen public services deteriorate in recent years. The education sector, in particular, has suffered from underfunding and poor maintenance.
In response to the uproar, authorities have launched an official investigation. A judicial spokesperson confirmed that the school’s principal has been arrested as part of the probe. Government officials have yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the protesters’ demands.
As Tunisians continue to voice their frustration, the deaths of the three students stand as a tragic symbol of the country’s broader crisis — a call for urgent reforms that many fear will go unheeded.
