The Bombing of Niš - Cluster Bombs in the City Center

On 7 May 1999, at 11:40 a.m., NATO bombed the center of Niš with cluster bombs, in one of the most controversial attacks during the aggression.

Prohibited Weapons

CBU-87 cluster bombs were used, which open in the air and release 202 smaller explosive bodies (bomblets). Many of them did not explode immediately, remaining on the ground like mines.

Striking the City Center

The cluster bombs struck:

• The shopping center in the city center
• The city hospital
• The bus station
• Residential blocks
• A park and a children's playground

Victims

15 civilians were killed, including 3 children. Over 60 were wounded, many seriously. Among the dead:

• Milica Janković (8 years old, playing in the park)
• Stefan Gajić (6 years old)
• Dragana Pavlović (5 years old)
• 12 adult civilians (mostly women and the elderly)

Unexploded Bombs

Over 50 bomblets from the cluster bombs did not explode immediately. In the following days, an additional 4 civilians were killed and 8 wounded by these unexploded bomblets.

Violation of International Law

The use of cluster bombs in densely populated urban areas is a violation of international humanitarian law. Human Rights Watch characterized the attack as a "war crime".

NATO's Justification

NATO first claimed that they had targeted a "military airport", but the airport was 6 kilometers from the site of the attack. They later admitted a "navigation error".