Highlights

Unplanned explosions of munitions sites (UEMS) are a global problem. Since 1998, incidents of this nature have been reported in more than a third of UN member states and on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. They have occurred regularly, with an average of less than three every two months for the ten-year period 1998–2007. According to the forthcoming Small Arms Survey UEMS database, the rate has increased in recent years to more than one every two weeks. During the first seven months of 2011 the average of number explosions has increased to more than three per month. It is unclear whether the problem is getting worse or reporting of incidents is improving. What is clear is that the number of explosions is not decreasing despite efforts to address their causes.

In May 2011 the Small Arms Survey released Research Note 6: Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites, which provides an overview of this topic as well as data on recorded incidents up until March 2011.

A new page on the Small Arms Survey website provides an update on the information included in this Research Note, including details on each incident from the beginning of 2011 through until the end of July 2011. This page will be routinely revised to give access to the most up-to-date information.