Explosive belt

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An explosive belt, also called a suicide belt or bomb vest, is a wearable bomb—a belt or vest packed with explosives and a detonator. It is often filled with shrapnel such as steel balls, nails, screws, or bolts to maximize casualties when it explodes. The vest can weigh 5 to 20 kilograms and be hidden under clothing.

When it detonates, the blast and shrapnel spray out in all directions, producing a deadly wide-area effect. The device may use simple pipe-like explosives or plates, wrapped in a fragmentation jacket to increase damage.

Historically, explosive belts were used in various conflicts. Chinese forces used grenade packs and dynamite on their bodies to attack tanks and troops during the Second Sino-Japanese War, including battles at Shanghai and Taierzhuang. In World War II, suicide attacks were also used by other forces, including Kamikaze pilots and Kaiten torpedoes. Security checks against suspected wearers typically involve moving the person away from others and asking them to remove outer clothing; infrared or millimeter-wave scanners have been discussed as additional methods.

For investigators, remains or unexploded belts can provide clues after an attack. The blast energy often throws parts of the body away from the wearer, which can complicate identification.