Staying alert, moving away from potential danger and reporting concerns to trained security personnel are essential steps in a public-safety emergency.
What to Do If You Suspect a Bomb: Essential Safety Steps
If you suspect someone may have a bomb, discover a suspicious package or become aware of a possible bomb threat, take the situation seriously and prioritise your safety. Do not approach the suspected person or object, attempt to investigate it yourself, or confront anyone you believe may pose a threat.
Move away from the potential danger when it is safe to do so, alert security personnel or the police, and follow the instructions of emergency responders. You do not need to determine whether a bomb is genuine before reporting a credible concern.
Knowing what to do if you suspect a bomb can help you respond more calmly in airports, hotels, shopping centres, public transport, schools and other crowded places.
What to Do If You Suspect a Bomb
The appropriate response depends on the circumstances, but the following principles apply in most public settings.
1. Move Away From the Potential Danger
Your immediate priority is to reach a safer location.
If you believe someone may be carrying an explosive device or you encounter a suspicious object, move away without approaching it to get a better look. Choose a route that increases your distance from the potential danger and does not take you closer to the suspected person or object.
If you can alert people nearby without putting yourself at greater risk, warn them to keep clear. Do not delay your own escape to help investigate the situation.
Where possible, remain out of sight of the suspected object and use substantial shelter if readily available and appropriate to the circumstances. Follow any evacuation or safety instructions given by the police or security personnel.
2. Do Not Confront the Suspected Person
If you believe someone may have an explosive device, do not accuse, threaten, follow or attempt to restrain them.
You may not know the circumstances, and trying to intervene could put you and other people in danger. Do not attempt to search the person, inspect their belongings or persuade them to hand over a suspected device.
Instead, prioritise getting to safety and notifying the appropriate authorities.
It is also important to distinguish observable behaviour from assumptions. A person’s clothing, appearance, nervousness or background does not establish that they pose a threat. Report a specific statement, action or other credible concern rather than making an accusation based on personal characteristics.
3. Never Touch or Investigate a Suspicious Package
A suspicious bag, parcel or other object should not be handled by members of the public.
Do not pick it up, open it, move it, shake it or attempt to examine its contents. Do not use a mobile phone or two-way radio immediately beside a suspected explosive device.
Move away first, then contact security or the police from a safe location. Do not return to the object to take photographs or gather additional information.
An unattended bag is not automatically dangerous. However, if an item’s location or circumstances genuinely concern you, leave the assessment to trained security personnel and emergency responders.
4. Report the Concern Promptly
Once you have reached a safer location, notify the appropriate authorities.
Depending on where you are, this may mean contacting:
- Airport or railway security: If you notice a possible threat in an airport terminal, station or transport facility.
- Hotel or venue security: If the concern arises in a hotel, shopping centre, conference venue or other managed building.
- Police or emergency services: If there appears to be an immediate threat, security personnel are unavailable, or the circumstances require urgent assistance.
- Cabin crew: If you are already aboard an aircraft and notice a possible threat or suspicious object.
In India, the national emergency response number is 112. In the United Kingdom, call 999 for an emergency; in the United States, call 911. Elsewhere, use the appropriate local emergency number.
Do not approach the suspected person or object to obtain more information before making a report. Give the information you already have and let the authorities decide what action is necessary.
5. Provide Clear, Factual Information
Accurate information can help emergency responders assess the situation.
From a safe location, explain what you observed and where it happened. Useful details may include:
- The exact location of the suspected threat, including a terminal, platform, floor or nearby landmark.
- What you saw or heard, including any explicit threat or unusual action.
- A description of the person or object, based on what you could safely observe.
- The approximate time the incident occurred.
- The direction in which a person moved, if you witnessed it without following them.
Separate what you know from what you suspect. For example, report that someone explicitly threatened to detonate a bomb if that is what you heard. Do not state that a person definitely has a bomb when you have not established that fact.
Never put yourself at risk to collect additional details. A short, accurate report is more useful than information obtained by approaching a potential threat.
6. Follow Emergency Instructions
Security personnel and emergency responders are responsible for assessing the threat and determining the appropriate response.
They may direct people to leave an area, remain where they are, use an alternative exit or stay away from a particular location. Follow their instructions rather than attempting to manage the incident yourself.
Do not return to an evacuated area until the authorities say it is safe. Avoid spreading unverified information about the suspected device or the response, particularly on social media.
What to Do If You Suspect a Bomb in Different Locations
The same basic safety principles apply across different environments, but your next step may depend on the setting.
At an Airport
If you notice a possible threat in an airport terminal, move away from the suspected person or object and inform airport security or the police from a safe location.
Do not handle an unattended bag that raises a credible concern. Follow airport staff and police instructions, including any directions to leave a particular area.
If you are already boarding, do not attempt to investigate the aircraft or confront another passenger. Notify the appropriate airline or airport personnel as soon as it is safe to do so.
On an Aircraft
If you are already on board an aircraft and become concerned about a possible explosive device or a passenger making a credible threat, alert a flight attendant as soon as you can do so safely.
Do not approach the person or object, inspect luggage or attempt to intervene physically. Follow the cabin crew’s instructions carefully.
If the crew orders an evacuation after landing, leave your belongings behind and move to the nearest safe exit as directed. Do not stop to retrieve hand luggage or record the evacuation.
On a Train, Bus or at a Railway Station
On public transport, report any suspicious object or possible bomb threat to transport staff or the police as soon as you can do so safely.
When the vehicle is moving or leaving immediately is not safe, keep your distance from the suspected object and follow the instructions of the crew or transport staff. Should an evacuation be ordered, leave promptly and do not stop to collect unnecessary belongings.
Do not re-enter the vehicle or approach a restricted area until the authorities confirm that it is safe.
In a Hotel, Shopping Centre, School or Public Venue
In a managed building, notify security staff or the responsible staff member if you can do so safely. If there is an immediate threat, contact emergency services from a safe location.
Follow the venue’s emergency instructions. Avoid using lifts during an evacuation unless emergency personnel specifically direct otherwise, and do not assume that your usual entrance or exit is the safest route.
If you are responsible for children, older adults or someone who needs assistance, help them move to safety when doing so will not expose you to greater danger.
What If You Receive a Bomb Threat by Phone or Message?
Not every bomb threat involves a person visibly carrying a suspicious object. A threat may arrive through a telephone call, text message, email, social media account or other communication.
Take a credible threat seriously, even if you do not know whether it is genuine.
Notify the appropriate authorities and, where relevant, the organisation or venue being threatened. If you receive a written message, preserve it when safe to do so. If the threat comes by telephone, note the exact words and the time of the call as soon as possible after the conversation, provided doing so does not place you at risk.
Do not investigate the alleged location yourself, challenge the person making the threat or circulate unverified details online. The police and relevant security professionals should assess the information and determine the next steps.
A threat may ultimately prove unfounded, but that decision should be made by the appropriate authorities rather than by someone without the necessary information or training.
What You Should Never Do During a Suspected Bomb Incident
Remember these essential precautions:
- Do not touch the suspected device. Never try to open, move or examine it.
- Do not confront or restrain a suspected person. Prioritise distance and report the concern.
- Do not use a phone or radio right beside a suspected device. Move away before communicating with emergency services.
- Do not attempt to disarm the object. Leave the assessment and handling to trained specialists.
- Do not follow the suspected person. Report their last known location and direction of travel if you observed them safely.
- Do not delay leaving a dangerous area to collect belongings, take photographs or make videos.
- Do not spread unverified accusations. Share factual observations with the authorities, not speculation with the public.
Stay Alert Without Making Unfounded Accusations
Personal safety involves awareness, sound judgement and responsible reporting. However, being alert does not mean treating every unfamiliar person or unattended bag as dangerous.
Focus on specific circumstances, credible threats and what you have actually observed. When something raises a genuine concern, do not dismiss it simply because you cannot confirm what is happening.
At the same time, avoid assumptions based on a person’s appearance, nationality, religion, clothing or other personal characteristics. These are not reliable ways to determine whether someone poses a threat.
The appropriate response is to report the concern, provide factual information and let trained professionals investigate.
Final Safety Advice
If you suspect a bomb, remember three priorities: move away, report the concern and follow official instructions.
Do not approach or touch a suspected explosive device, confront a potentially dangerous person or attempt to establish whether the threat is genuine on your own. Get to a safer location and communicate what you observed to the appropriate authorities.
Preparation cannot eliminate every risk, but knowing how to respond can help you make safer decisions when faced with a frightening and uncertain situation.
