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Explosion fatalities in Sweden, 2000–2018

Junuzovic, Mensura LU (2021) In Medicine, Science and the Law
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... (More)
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 (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Medicine, Science and the Law
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • pmid:34156888
  • scopus:85108554388
ISSN
0025-8024
DOI
10.1177/00258024211025228
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
5e18daa1-c68c-4443-a87d-940d7416ab04
date added to LUP
2021-07-06 13:36:25
date last changed
2022-04-27 02:42:04
@article{5e18daa1-c68c-4443-a87d-940d7416ab04,
  abstract     = {{Epidemiological aspects of explosion-related deaths in a civilian setting may bring comprehensive knowledge that is<br/>important for prevention efforts. This Swedish national study aimed to describe the extent of such deaths, circumstances<br/>and fatal injuries. Data, including all explosion-related deaths in Sweden from 2000 through 2018, were retrieved from the<br/>register of the National Board of Forensic Medicine. Among all 87 cases found, accidental deaths accounted for 62%,<br/>suicides for 21%, homicides for 7% and undetermined manner of death for the remaining 10% of cases. Most victims<br/>died on site. Adult males dominated in the study material, but explosions also killed four children. Explosives were<br/>most commonly involved in occupational blast deaths, suicides and homicides, followed by flammable gases and fluids.<br/>The incidence showed a significant decrease since the 1980s, based on the incidence rate from this study and a previous<br/>Swedish study (1979–1984). As already rare occurrences, blast-related deaths are challenging to prevent. Prevention<br/>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}},
  author       = {{Junuzovic, Mensura}},
  issn         = {{0025-8024}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Medicine, Science and the Law}},
  title        = {{Explosion fatalities in Sweden, 2000–2018}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00258024211025228}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/00258024211025228}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}