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Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
What you do in 10 minutes after nuclear bomb will determine if you live
As tensions soar between Iran and Israel, fears of a global conflict that could tip into World War III are mounting. In response to the growing hostilities, the US has launched military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities with hugely potent 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. This aggression, coupled with Israel's air operations targeting Tehran, have propelled regional tensions to a breaking point while global apprehension escalates. At the same time, Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine deepens as President Vladimir Putin calls in reinforcements from North Korea, reports the Mirror. In view of potential dangers, peace organisations are pinpointing non-belligerent countries that might act as havens due to their geopolitical stances and overall stability. Although no country is considered completely safe, New Zealand, Iceland and Switzerland are all developed nations believed to be least likely to be hit by nuclear weapons in the event of a potential groups also circulating guidelines to help people prepare for the worst-case scenario of a nuclear strike. To quote the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), "adequate preparation and appropriate response to a nuclear alert or detonation can protect you and your family's health and life.", reports the Mirror US. What is the first action to take in a nuclear attack? If you were not close enough to the explosion to immediately die, for survival in the critical moments following a nuclear blast, the ICRP stresses that "the best way to protect you and your family before, during, and after a nuclear blast is getting inside the center of a building or basement." After a blast, you should aim to find safe shelter within the first 10 minutes before the nuclear fallout begins. If you can get to a multi-storey building or basement swiftly after the explosion, do so without delay. The safest structures are made of brick or concrete. Underground car parks and tube stations also provide good protection. What happens if I've been exposed to fallout? If you suspect you've been exposed to fallout, take off outer layers of clothing and shoes that may be contaminated, and cleanse or wipe down exposed skin and hair thoroughly. If you have pets that might be contaminated, brush them in a separate room away from people and wash them too if possible. How will I know what is happening in the outside world? The ICRP also advises that within 24 hours post-detonation, tune into any accessible media, such as AM/FM stations using a battery-powered radio, for instructions on what to do next. "Stay inside unless instructed otherwise," the website states. They advise: "Remain in the most protective location (basement or centre of a large building) for the first 12 – 24 hours unless threatened by an immediate hazard (e.g., fire, gas leak, building collapse, or serious injury) or informed by authorities that it is safe to leave." Should I flee the fallout zone? Self-evacuation should only become an option once hazardous fallout zones are clearly identified and secure evacuation routes are established. In the meantime, essential workers may be allowed to leave shelter temporarily to carry out vital support and life-saving tasks. What is a nuclear explosion actually like? Knowing the dangers of a nuclear explosion can help to guide you to take swift and sensible actions for your safety. A bright flash that can be seen from 10 km away is a sign of a nuclear blast. Straight after, a fireball emits thermal pulses lasting seconds, leading to burns, injuries, and setting materials like plants and wood on fire several kilometres away from the explosion. The fireball and shock wave can wipe out city blocks and damage buildings kilometres away, with flying debris posing risks. Initial radiation may injure or kill those outdoors within a few kilometres.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
What you do in 10 minutes of a nuclear bomb will determine if you live or die
Amid escalating tensions and fear of World War 3 breaking out, here is what to do in the first 10 minutes of a nuclear bomb hitting, according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) As tensions skyrocket between Iran and Israel, fears of a global conflict that could tip into World War III are mounting. In response to the growing hostilities, the US has launched military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities with massively potent 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. These aggressive moves, coupled with Israel's air operations targeting Tehran, have propelled regional tensions to a breaking point while global apprehension escalates. At the same time, Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine deepens as President Vladimir Putin calls in reinforcements from North Korea. In view of potential dangers, peace organisations are pinpointing certain countries that might act as havens due to their geopolitical stances, nonaligned military postures, and overall stability. Although no country is considered completely safe, New Zealand, Iceland and Switzerland are all developed nations believed to be least likely to be hit by nuclear weapons in case of WW3. They're also circulating guidelines to help people prepare for the worst-case scenario of a nuclear strike. To quote the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), "adequate preparation and appropriate response to a nuclear alert or detonation can protect you and your family's health and life.", reports the Mirror US. What is the first action to take in a nuclear attack? Assuming you were not close enough to the explosion to immediately die, for continued survival in the critical moments following a nuclear blast, the ICRP stresses that "the best way to protect you and your family before, during, and after a nuclear blast is getting inside the center of a building or basement." After a blast, you should aim to find safe shelter within 10 minutes before fallout begins. If you can get to a multi-storey building or basement swiftly after the explosion, do so without delay. The safest structures are those made of brick or concrete. Underground car parks and tube stations also provide good protection. What happens if I've been exposed to fallout? If you suspect you've been exposed to fallout, take off outer layers of clothing and shoes that may be contaminated. Cleanse or wipe down exposed skin and hair thoroughly. If you have pets that might be contaminated, brush them in a separate room away from people and wash them if possible. How will I know what is happening in the outside world? The ICRP also advises that within 24 hours post-detonation, tune into any accessible media, such as AM/FM stations using a battery-powered radio, for updated instructions and clear signals. "Stay inside unless instructed otherwise," the website states. They advise: "Remain in the most protective location (basement or centre of a large building) for the first 12 – 24 hours unless threatened by an immediate hazard (e.g., fire, gas leak, building collapse, or serious injury) or informed by authorities that it is safe to leave." Should I flee the fallout zone? Self-evacuation should only be considered once hazardous fallout zones are clearly identified and secure evacuation routes are established. In the meantime, essential workers may be allowed to leave shelter temporarily to carry out vital support and life-saving tasks. What is a nuclear explosion actually like? Knowing the dangers of a nuclear explosion can guide you to take swift and sensible actions for your safety. A bright flash that can be seen 10 km away is a sign of a nuclear blast. Straight after, a fireball emits thermal pulses lasting seconds, leading to burns, injuries, and setting materials like plants and wood on fire several kilometres from the explosion. The fireball and shock wave can wipe out city blocks and damage buildings kilometres away, with flying debris posing risks. Initial radiation may injure or kill those outdoors within a few kilometres.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Safest places to live in UK in nuclear attack as expert issues dire warning
Following US attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran, fears over escalating nuclear conflict are being felt across the globe, including the UK. And many have expressed concerns over where exactly would be safest, in the event of a catastrophe closer to home. Iran 's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has warned there will be "everlasting consequences" following US President Donald Trump's confirmation that "great American Warriors" had carried out a "very successful attack" on the sites of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Taking to social media platform X, Mr Araghchi wrote: "Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people." And as fears over the potential for "World War III" continue to rumble, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued the following statement: "Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. "The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." Here, the Mirror looks at the safest places to live in the UK, should the worst come to pass. According to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP): "The best way to protect you and your family before, during, and after a nuclear blast is getting inside the centre of a building or basement. On August 6, 1945, Mr Eizo Nomura was in the basement of a building in Hiroshima, about 170 meters from ground zero. He survived the atomic bombing and died in 1982 at the age of 84. Most people within a few hundred metres of a nuclear detonation are not likely to survive, especially if unprepared. "Be inside before the fallout arrives. After a detonation, you will have 10 minutes or more to find an adequate shelter before fallout arrives. If a multi-story building or a basement can be safely reached within a few minutes of the explosion, go there immediately. The safest buildings have brick or concrete walls. Underground parking garages and subways can also provide good shelter." With this in mind, many would automatically assume that London, with its vast underground network, would be the safest location, with the tube tunnels allowing citizens some protection from the blast. This is, of course, where many Londoners sought refuge during the dark days of the Blitz. However, there are mixed opinions on this front with experts fearing that modern nuclear weapons could penetrate much further than the bombs of World War II, meaning even the 58-metre-deep Hampstead station may still be too close to the surface. Andrew Futter, a Professor of International Politics at the University of Leicester, previously advised My London that the Underground "probably wouldn't be deep enough if there was a direct hit". Therefore, in the event that a nation targets one of the UK's major cities - from London to Edinburgh - Brits would need to be outside of the blast zone to have the best chance of survival. When it comes to the reach of nuclear blasts, there are several factors to bear in mind including a radiation radius of 153 km2, a fireball radius of approximately 197 km2, an air blast radius between 321 km2 and 1,420 km2 and a thermal radiation radius of 12,960 km2. Although these distances can vary depending on weather conditions, property researchers have previously put together a list of places which should be safer than the cities. These 20 locations, listed by property portal EMoov back in 2017, are outside of the immediate range of blasts on major cities... Cornwall Weymouth Folkestone Dover Margate Clacton-on-Sea Felixstowe Brixworth Bideford Aberystwyth Skegness Isle of Anglesey Barrow in Furness Lancaster Whitby Carlisle Dumfries Berwick-upon-Tweed Inverness However, some of these areas are still close enough to blast sites to be affected by radiation swept over by winds. Therefore, the remote island Foula, on the Shetland Isles, could well be the safest place in the UK in this instance.
