Statement by the Citizens’ Rights Commission of the Kerman Bar Association Regarding the Overturning of a Girls’ Bus

The Citizens’ Rights Commission of the Kerman Bar Association issued a statement regarding the overturning of a bus carrying female students of Farzangan High School in Kerman.

On the 18th of Bahman in the current year (1403/February 7, 2025), a bus carrying female students of Farzangan High School in Kerman, which was returning from a trip to Shahdad, overturned. As a result of this accident, several of them were killed and the remaining students were injured. The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Kerman Province announced the formation of a legal case regarding this incident and stated: “Necessary judicial orders have been issued to deal with those responsible for the accident and the negligence that occurred in this tragic incident.”

The Citizens’ Rights Commission of the Kerman Bar Association also issued a statement in response to this incident and the deaths of some students. The text of the statement is as follows: “The news of the overturning of the bus carrying female students of Farzangan High School in Kerman suddenly plunged the people of the province into deep sorrow and regret. No words will console the hearts of grieving mothers and fathers, and no remedy will heal the wounds of those who survived the accident.

After that joyful day for our young daughters, filled with thousands of dreams and hopes for the future, wounds have been inflicted upon the hearts of the bereaved and suffering from the accident, and a wave of distrust and insecurity has emerged regarding those responsible for the education and upbringing of our children.

Therefore, it is necessary for the esteemed prosecutor of Kerman to enter into this matter, identify those responsible who, through carelessness, negligence, and failure to observe regulations and standards, caused such a tragic loss of life, and punish them. It is hoped that the follow-up on this matter and justice will create opportunities for accountability and greater vigilance by those responsible in similar cases.

The Citizens’ Rights Commission of the Kerman Bar Association also expresses sympathy with the survivors of the accident and announces its readiness to provide any legal support to them.”

Citizens’ Rights Commission of the Kerman Bar Association

It should be noted that yesterday, exactly one day after this accident, a video was published on social networks in which one of the injured girls, in an interview with a “Tasnim” reporter, stated that emergency responders arrived at the scene later than the parents of the children. She stated in this interview: “The bus driver told us that the bus brakes had been cut and asked everyone to move to the back of the bus.” According to her account, if the emergency personnel had arrived at the scene sooner, those who lost their lives could have survived.

Over the past two years, following the start of nationwide protests and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, schools throughout Iran suffered severe poisonings that continued in a chain reaction. Unfortunately, those responsible continued their work freely, and officials took no special action in response to the protests and strong reactions to it.

Now, after two years have passed, attacks on students have resumed, which indicates the existence of behind-the-scenes policies to divert public attention. In addition to this tragic accident, which resulted from the failure of the bus brakes, another video was also published on social networks showing the opening of bolts on the Eastern Railway line (Sangan) by a railway worker while a locomotive was on the tracks and in motion. The railway worker and the line maintenance worker stated they had orders from above.

The Sangan railway line video can be viewed below.