An alarming incident occurred at a junior high school in Heraklion, Crete, where students constructed a powerful improvised explosive device and detonated it in the schoolyard on the evening of Monday, 9 March 2026 — disregarding the extreme danger to their own lives.
Discovery and Immediate Response
On Tuesday morning, school staff noticed suspicious remnants on the grounds of the Heraklion-based school. The findings triggered serious concern, prompting an immediate call to authorities. Police officers and a pyrotechnics expert rushed to the scene and confirmed that an explosion had already taken place.
Witness Accounts and Shock
According to local education sources who spoke with patris.gr, the incident began with a loud blast heard near the school in Heraklion. Fortunately, no material damage or injuries were reported. Still, teachers and others who saw the remains firsthand described being deeply shaken — many made the sign of the cross, noting how narrowly the perpetrators may have escaped death.
“From police we learned the device was extremely dangerous: lighters, alcohol, and a firecracker were among its components. Had anything gone wrong, our school would have faced a tragedy,” said a staff member at the school.
Investigation Underway
Security camera footage reportedly shows three young individuals scaling the school’s fence and entering the premises before heading to the yard, where they placed and activated the device. Investigators revealed the bomb was assembled using flammable materials, small LPG canisters, and a cracker — a combination capable of causing severe injury or worse.
Authorities have reportedly identified and arrested one suspect — a student at the school. It is under investigation whether the other two individuals seen in the footage are also students.
A Disturbing Motive
According to information shared by school staff, the arrested minor reportedly told educators: “We saw a video online and decided to try it ourselves.” The statement underscores growing concerns about online influence and youth risk-taking behavior.