Abstract
The explosive device has successfully been used by terrorists globally, with their effects extending beyond the resulting injuries. Suicide bombings, in particular, are being increasingly deployed due to the devastating effect of a combination of, high lethality and target accuracy. This aim of this study was to analyse the demographics and casualty figures of terrorist bombings worldwide. Analysis of the Global Terrorism Database and a PubMed search (keywords “terrorist”, and/or “suicide”, and/or “bombing”) from 1970 to date was performed. Of 58,095 reported terrorist explosions worldwide, 5.08% were suicide bombings. Incidents per year is increasing (P<0.01). PubMed identified 41 publications reporting 167 incidents. Mean casualty statistics per incidents was 1.14 deaths and 3.45 wounded from non-suicide incidents, and 10.16 and 24.16 from suicide bombings (p<0.05). The Middle East witnessed the most incidents (26.9%), with Europe ranked 4th in the number of terrorist related explosion (13.2%). Differing injury patterns were seen in open, confined and building collapse incidents. Terrorist bombings continue to be a threat and are increasing in the Middle East and Europe. Suicide bombings are becoming an increased threat with greater casualty figures per incident seen. This data assists in the planning of security, logistics, casualty evacuation and care.
