The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuries

Abstract On September 17, 2024, Lebanon experienced a mass-casualty event involving the simultaneous detonation of explosive-laden pagers, resulting in 12 fatalities and injuries to nearly 3,000 individuals, primarily involving the eyes, face, and hands. This unprecedented attack marked the first la...

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Main Authors: Alameddine Ramzi, Noureddin Baha’, Mansour Ahmad, Joanna Saade, Wajiha Jurdi Kheir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:World Journal of Emergency Surgery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13017-025-00587-6
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author Alameddine Ramzi
Noureddin Baha’
Mansour Ahmad
Joanna Saade
Wajiha Jurdi Kheir
author_facet Alameddine Ramzi
Noureddin Baha’
Mansour Ahmad
Joanna Saade
Wajiha Jurdi Kheir
author_sort Alameddine Ramzi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract On September 17, 2024, Lebanon experienced a mass-casualty event involving the simultaneous detonation of explosive-laden pagers, resulting in 12 fatalities and injuries to nearly 3,000 individuals, primarily involving the eyes, face, and hands. This unprecedented attack marked the first large-scale use of mass communication devices as weapons. Hospitals, particularly the American University of Beirut’s Department of Ophthalmology, faced extraordinary challenges in managing these injuries, performing over 80 vision-saving surgeries within four days. This event highlights a novel form of warfare, with profound implications for medical preparedness and the human toll of such tactics.
format Article
id doaj-art-21dbf77a1d9c4d8089f759a856ec3659
institution Kabale University
issn 1749-7922
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series World Journal of Emergency Surgery
spelling doaj-art-21dbf77a1d9c4d8089f759a856ec36592025-08-24T11:14:35ZengBMCWorld Journal of Emergency Surgery1749-79222025-08-012011210.1186/s13017-025-00587-6The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuriesAlameddine Ramzi0Noureddin Baha’1Mansour Ahmad2Joanna Saade3Wajiha Jurdi Kheir4American University of BeirutAmerican University of BeirutAmerican University of BeirutAmerican University of BeirutAmerican University of BeirutAbstract On September 17, 2024, Lebanon experienced a mass-casualty event involving the simultaneous detonation of explosive-laden pagers, resulting in 12 fatalities and injuries to nearly 3,000 individuals, primarily involving the eyes, face, and hands. This unprecedented attack marked the first large-scale use of mass communication devices as weapons. Hospitals, particularly the American University of Beirut’s Department of Ophthalmology, faced extraordinary challenges in managing these injuries, performing over 80 vision-saving surgeries within four days. This event highlights a novel form of warfare, with profound implications for medical preparedness and the human toll of such tactics.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13017-025-00587-6
spellingShingle Alameddine Ramzi
Noureddin Baha’
Mansour Ahmad
Joanna Saade
Wajiha Jurdi Kheir
The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuries
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
title The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuries
title_full The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuries
title_fullStr The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuries
title_full_unstemmed The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuries
title_short The synchronized pager explosions: an unprecedented pattern of injuries
title_sort synchronized pager explosions an unprecedented pattern of injuries
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13017-025-00587-6
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