The Bombing of the Old People's Home in Surdulica

On 8 May 1999, perhaps the most heinous individual crime during the bombing took place - a cluster bomb attack on the old people's home in Surdulica.

The third bombing of Surdulica

This was the THIRD attack on Surdulica - a small town in southern Serbia. This time, the target was the geriatric centre - a home for elderly and infirm people.

Victims - the oldest and the most vulnerable

11 elderly people who lived in the home were killed:

• Stana Petrović (89 years old, the oldest victim)
• Dragica Nikolić (87 years old)
• Milica Jovanović (86 years old)
• Vera Đorđević (84 years old)
• Jovanka Marković (83 years old)
• Milan Stanković (82 years old)
• Gordana Ilić (81 years old)
• Dragan Pavlović (79 years old)
• Slavica Petrović (78 years old)
• Milovan Kostić (77 years old)
• Radmila Simić (76 years old)

Cluster bombs on infirm people

Cluster bombs were used - a weapon designed to kill as many people as possible over as large an area as possible. The elderly people had no chance to take cover.

Without any military purpose

The old people's home was clearly marked with a red cross. There was no military facility nearby. The attack was 100% an attack on civilians - the most vulnerable civilians.

Without condemnation

This crime was never condemned by any Western politician or organisation. NATO described it as an "unintended incident".

Remembrance

A memorial with the names of all 11 who died was erected on the ruins of the home.