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 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.