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The Omagh Bombing - A Medical Perspective

2000; BMJ; Volume: 146; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/jramc-146-01-04

2052-0468

SJO Potter, G. S. Carter,

Health and Conflict Studies

The Good Friday Agreement heralded a new era for the people of Northern Ireland.It was with great belief in the Ulster Referendum that they dared to look forward to peace.The Canary Wharf, Thiepval Barracks and Manchester bombings which all occured during previous PIRA cease-fires provided ample proof that negotiations could fail.Unfortunately the cease-fire did not last.Militant members of PIRA were known to have defected to dissident terrorist groups.One such organisation, the Real IRA stepped up their campaign for recognition.On 01 August 1998 a car bomb was detonated in Banbridge High Street.Fortunately, although buildings were damaged no one was killed.Two weeks later Omagh was targeted.Twenty nine people were killed and 336 were injured -the largest single loss of life in 30 years of urban war.The injured rapidly engulfed the local Accident and Emergency (A&E) department and caused one of the largest ever UK casualty evacuations by road and air.The ensuing maelstrom severely tested acute medical services in Northern Ireland.This article discusses the immediate medical response to the Omagh bombing and offers advice to those who plan for such disasters.