Why touching shrapnel could be deadly: Qatar Ministry of Interior issues urgent public advisory

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has issued an urgent safety guidance on the dangers of handling shrapnel after accidents or explosions. In a statement made on Tuesday, the MOI explained the need to maintain a safe distance from shrapnel and avoid touching it.

The ministry noted that shrapnel is often irregular and sharp, which could lead to deep wounds or bleeding if handled or moved.

How dangerous is shrapnel?

Shrapnel refers to fragments of parts of a bomb, shell, or missile scattered after an explosion, designed to cause injuries. They are often irregular in shape and can cause deep cuts or severe bleeding in most cases.

Since they are parts of attacking missiles or bombs, there is always a chance that they may not have detonated fully and may explode if moved.

Moreover, these are part of official attacks made from one party on another and make for official news and evidence. Handling them, while touching or moving, can disturb evidence and complicate the recounting of the attacks along with the work of the specialised teams.

Effects of touching shrapnel

After recent attacks, shrapnel can be very hot due to friction or blast impact, and thus cause deep burns.

Additionally, they may also contain chemicals or explosive compounds like fuel, oils and even heavy metals that can have the same impact, along with other health risks and environmental risks.

How to deal with falling debris?

UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) posted an advisory on social media recently, advising citizens what to do in case they encounter falling debris. It advised:

• Move away from the incident area and leave a safe distance
• Do not approach the debris as fragments may contain explosives or hazardous materials, move away
• Avoid taking pictures of the incident site or posting photos on social media
• Avoid gathering in the incident area to enable the competent authorities to reach the location
• Obtain information from official sources in the country and avoid sharing rumours or unverified information
• Ensure the safety of your family members and be sure to reduce panic
• Inform competent authorities, call the emergency number 999

Death by falling debris

In an advisory issued on February 28, NCEMA advised the public to maintain distance from shrapnel and similar objects, not to photograph them and to allow authorities to carry out the necessary procedures.

This was after the UAE Ministry of Defence announced that the country was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian missiles while noting that the UAE air defence systems dealt with them with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles.

“Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage,” the statement said.

The falling of the debris in the residential area resulted in the death of one civilian, an Asian resident. Thus, highlighting why it is vital to maintain a safe distance from shrapnel and run to safety if you encounter falling debris.