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.

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.

Unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS) remain a global and multi-faceted problem. UEMS are accidental explosions of abandoned, damaged, improperly or properly stored stockpiles of ammunition and explosives at munitions sites.

Unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS) are a global problem. The Small Arms Survey defines UEMS as the accidental explosion of stockpiles of ammunition and explosives at storage sites, whether the stockpiles are properly stored or are abandoned, damaged, or improperly stored.

'A series of massive blasts recently rocked Equatorial Guinea’s city of Bata. The explosions, at an army barracks, killed over 100 people and destroyed military buildings as well as people’s homes around the site. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema stated that the explosions were “caused by negligence of the unit in charge of storing explosives, dynamite and ammunition at the Nkoa Ntoma military camp”.

Check out this infographic for some quick facts about unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS).

Find out more on our UEMS database here.

Availalbe in:  ENGLISH | FRENCH

Check out this infographic for some quick facts about unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS).

Find out more on our UEMS database here.

Availalbe in:  ENGLISH | FRENCH

Check out this infographic for some quick facts about unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS).

Find out more on our UEMS database here.

Available in:  ENGLISH

Unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS) are a significant safety concern for governments and a major security challenge for the international community. The Small Arms Survey has documented more than 500 such incidents in 100 countries over the 35-year period from 1979 to 2013.