Highlights

Unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS) cause death, injury, and extensive damage to infrastructure, often resulting in long-term economic losses.

A new Research Note from the Small Arms Survey, Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites, provides a concise overview of the problem, giving a breakdown of reported incidents by region and by causes, and offering some pointers on practical measures to reduce the likelihood of explosions.

UEMS are a global problem, with 245 incidents reported since 1998: in 62 of the 192 UN Member States, and on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

There are numerous causes for unplanned explosions at munitions sites, including lack of technical knowledge, uneven attention to safety standards, poor storage practices, and poor infrastructure.

States exhibiting strong political will can prevent unplanned explosions or mitigate their ramifications. While some solutions are expensive to implement and may require external assistance, many can be undertaken unilaterally and with modest investment.

• Download Research Note 6: Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites
• More on State Stockpiles
• More on Stockpile Management and Security
• See also: Safer Stockpiles: Practitioners’ Experiences with Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Assistance Programmes
• See also: Physical Security and Stockpile Management ID Cards