636 incidents of Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS) took place between 1979 and December 2021, resulting in 30,883 casualties (deaths and injuries), reveals the newest update of the Small Arms Survey UEMS database. The database tracks the frequency and destructive impact of UEMS incidents—defined as the accidental explosion of abandoned, damaged, improperly stored, or properly stored stockpiles of ammunition and explosives at munitions sites.

Unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS) are accidental explosions of abandoned, damaged, improperly stored, or properly stored stockpiles of ammunition and explosives at munitions sites. UEMS are a persistent and global problem. They are a significant safety concern for the public and a major security challenge for states and societies. Addressing the challenge posed by UEMS requires not only putting in place effective stockpile management practices but also implementing a life-cycle management of ammunition (LCMA) system.