20 February, 2025

New update to the unplanned explosions at munitions sites database

Unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS) are a significant safety threat for governments and a major challenge for the international community. A single UEMS incident can result in multiple casualties, millions of dollars' worth of damage to nearby buildings, infrastructure, and homes, as well as harm to the environment. Research conducted by the Survey reveals that these incidents are widespread and increasingly common: in its database, the Survey has recorded more than 674 incidents that occurred since 1979.

The Survey’s January 2025 UEMS database update includes data up to 31 December 2024, and highlights the importance of adopting effective measures to prevent and reduce the number of UEMS while mitigating their consequences. The accompanying infographic offers a snapshot of the key findings.

Click here for UEMS January 2025 update

For more, check out:

2025 infographic (February 2025)—a snapshot of the update with data up to 31 December 2024
Investigating The Links: Government Effectiveness And Unplanned Explosions At Munition Sites (July 2023)—a blog post analysing government effectiveness and UEMS incidence and casualties
A Practical Guide to Life-cycle Management of Ammunition (April 2018)—a Handbook that provides a succinct and accessible introduction to the Survey’s LCMA model and describes the role of national ownership in creating an enabling environment in which states can establish and maintain an LCMA system
Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS): Excess Stockpiles as Liabilities rather than Assets (June 2014) —a Handbook that analyses best practices and serves as a reference tool and a training tool.
Other UEMS-related outputs in our Resource Library

Other news from the Survey: