Akakan Umoh
Hundreds of mourners crowded the streets in paying their respects at the funeral of students and staffers of Iran school hit by missiles.
Coffins draped in the flag of the Islamic Republic were carried through the crowds, as a voiceover recounted the grief of mothers and fathers who had lost their daughters.
Iranian officials said the school was hit by three missiles on Saturday morning. It was located about 600m (1970ft) from an IRGC base.
The six-day working week in Iran runs from Saturday to Thursday, with Friday being the only official day of rest, meaning the school was likely occupied when it was hit.
Also read: Iranian leader Khamenei killed in strikes, Israel says
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called the incident a “barbaric act” and “another black page in the record of countless crimes committed by the aggressors”.
The country’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted a photo on social media of graves being dug for 160 people, with the comment: “This is how ‘rescue’ promised by Mr Trump looks in reality.”
Mehr News/WANA via ReutersLocal people and rescue workers looking for survivors in the rubble of the school
The BBC has verified clips of the aftermath of the explosion, which show smoke rising from a building as crowds gathered nearby, with some people screaming in panic.
International news organisations are often refused visas to Iran which severely limits their ability to gather information there.
On Monday, the BBC asked the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio if the school building was struck by an American missile.
“The US would not deliberately target a school,” Rubio said in response. “We would have no interest, and frankly, no incentive to target civilian infrastructure.”
“I don’t have the details as to what led to it, but what is clear is that the United States would not target a school,” he added.
In a statement reported in US media, Centcom spokesman Tim Hawkins said: “We take these reports seriously.”
“The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimise the risk of unintended harm,” he said.
