Three teenagers in Heraklion, on the island of Crete, Greece, have been released under restrictive conditions following a dangerous incident in which they set off a homemade explosive at a school yard. The explosion occurred at an empty school, preventing potential injuries or fatalities.
The youths reportedly assembled the device using simple materials, including small butane canisters, alcohol, a firecracker, and tape, following instructions they had seen on the social media platform TikTok. The explosion, which took place around 8 minutes after they began, was far stronger than they anticipated.
The Incident in Detail
According to reports, the teenagers arrived at the school yard just before 9 p.m. and attempted to experiment with the explosive device. The blast ignited flames that briefly reached one of the minors, who, along with the others, fled the scene. They then tried to extinguish any remaining embers, indicating they did not fully understand the danger of their actions.
The event has raised concerns about the influence of online content on minors, as the teenagers had not deliberately researched explosives but merely followed viral TikTok videos. Authorities emphasize that social media platforms often lack age restrictions or content filters, making such experiments dangerously accessible to children.
Reactions from Families
The mother of one of the 17-year-olds spoke to local media, stressing that the teenagers did not intend harm. “They saw it on TikTok and tried it. There was no one else around to get hurt. It was the first time he put himself or others at risk, and luckily, nothing worse happened. He is scared and has learned a lesson,” she said.
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
The three minors spent two nights in detention before being released with restrictive conditions. Legal representatives and family members noted the close call, with one lawyer commenting, “Today we could have been attending funerals instead of a court hearing.”
