Explosion fatalities in Sweden, 2000-2018.

Mensura Junuzovic

doi:10.1177/00258024211025228

Abstract

Epidemiological aspects of explosion-related deaths in a civilian setting may bring comprehensive knowledge that is important for prevention efforts. This Swedish national study aimed to describe the extent of such deaths, circumstances and fatal injuries. Data, including all explosion-related deaths in Sweden from 2000 through 2018, were retrieved from the register of the National Board of Forensic Medicine. Among all 87 cases found, accidental deaths accounted for 62%, suicides for 21%, homicides for 7% and undetermined manner of death for the remaining 10% of cases. Most victims died on site. Adult males dominated in the study material, but explosions also killed four children. Explosives were most commonly involved in occupational blast deaths, suicides and homicides, followed by flammable gases and fluids. The incidence showed a significant decrease since the 1980s, based on the incidence rate from this study and a previous Swedish study (1979–1984). As already rare occurrences, blast-related deaths are challenging to prevent. Prevention efforts are needed to restrict the availability of explosives and focus on lowering the occupational risk for injury. In addition, child deaths must not be neglected. A vision of no fatalities is an appropriate goal for acting against explosion-related deaths in a civilian setting.

Highlights

Explosion-related injury and death are often associated with warfare but may occur during peacetime
An explosion always carries a potential risk of injury to those who are close to the blast due to the rapid and sudden release of energy and the pressure wave created
There were 53 accidental events in total; 52 persons were killed in 52 accidental events and two persons were killed in one accidental event

Summary

Introduction

Explosion-related injury and death are often associated with warfare but may occur during peacetime. The blast injury panorama in a civil society under peace conditions varies depending on the explosion process (e.g. mechanical or chemical). An explosion always carries a potential risk of injury to those who are close to the blast due to the rapid and sudden release of energy and the pressure wave created. Special medical skills necessary for assessment, evaluation and treatment of explosion injuries represent a challenge for emergency care, especially considering that few doctors have experience in the field.[1]. Controlled and planned explosions, which are used in certain professions, require special safety measures and should rarely cause injury and/or death. Previous studies of blast injuries have focused mainly on a specific type of explosion, e.g. gas explosions,[2,3] tyre explosions,[4] pyrotechnic explosions[5] and explosions in war and terrorism.[6,7,8,9,10] National studies including all types of explosions are scarce.[11,12]

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