What was their crime? 120 children killed in school strike
A devastating missile strike on a primary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab has claimed the lives of 156 people, including 120 children, making it one of the deadliest civilian incidents of the recent conflict involving Iran.
The attack took place on February 28 during the opening hours of the military confrontation. The school was operating normally when explosions struck the area, causing large sections of the building to collapse and trapping students and teachers beneath the rubble.
According to survivors, children had gathered inside the school for morning prayers because it was the holy month of Ramadan. Shortly after classes began, school authorities decided to dismiss students as reports of nearby explosions emerged. Before many children could leave the premises, another powerful strike directly hit the school building.
Teachers who survived the attack described scenes of panic and destruction. They said the explosion threw students and staff across classrooms while thick smoke quickly filled the building, making it difficult to breathe or see. Parts of the school collapsed within seconds, leaving many children trapped.
Emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene soon after the explosions. Rescue workers spent hours searching through damaged classrooms and collapsed concrete in an attempt to find survivors. However, many victims had already lost their lives before rescuers arrived.
Officials involved in the rescue operation said the destruction was so severe that several victims could only be identified through clothing, shoes, or personal belongings. Families gathered outside the school in desperate search of their children as rescue efforts continued.
The tragedy has left the entire community in mourning. Parents and relatives continue visiting the cemetery where many of the students and teachers have been buried. Families say they are still struggling to cope with the loss of children who had simply gone to school for their education.
The school was located next to a compound associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Satellite images and independent analysis indicate that military facilities in the neighbouring compound were also struck during the attack.
Reports citing officials familiar with the investigation suggest the strike may have resulted from outdated intelligence that mistakenly identified the school area as part of a military target. However, no official conclusion has been released, and investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
Iranian authorities insist the school had been operating as a civilian educational institution for years and reject suggestions that it was part of any military facility. They have repeatedly highlighted the attack as evidence of the heavy civilian toll caused by the conflict.
The incident has intensified international concern over civilian protection during military operations. Human rights advocates and legal experts have called for a transparent and independent investigation to determine responsibility and examine whether international humanitarian law was violated.
The strike has also renewed global debate over the accuracy of military intelligence, the protection of schools in conflict zones, and the need to safeguard civilians during armed confrontations.
