The debate entry expresses the writer’s opinions.
(Trønder debate): As long as nuclear weapons exist, there is a danger that they will be used. And should a nuclear weapon go off over a Norwegian city, the consequences would be catastrophic. It shows one the report from Norwegian doctors against nuclear weapons (NLA).
The report shows that over 100,000 people could lose their lives almost instantly, if a nuclear weapon of 100 kilotons (kt) were to be detonated over the Storting in Oslo
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For the first time, data is being published on how many people may be killed and injured. The study shows that the healthcare system would be completely overwhelmed if “just” one single nuclear weapon were to go off over a Norwegian city.
With Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, nuclear weapons are back on the agenda. Russia has threatened to use them, and several other countries are renewing and upgrading their arsenals.
Nevertheless, the human consequences of using nuclear weapons are little debated. In all the talk of strategy and deterrence, it is easy to forget that nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction designed to kill as many people as possible and wipe out entire cities.
What would happen if a nuclear weapon detonated over one of the largest Norwegian cities? Few have counted on that.
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The consequences would have varied, depending on the geography and population density of the area affected. Nevertheless, it is clear that the healthcare system will not be close to having the capacity to take care of the tens of thousands of wounded and injured who will come in if a nuclear bomb goes off over a major Norwegian city. The consequences would also be fatal in Trondheim.
If a nuclear weapon with a strength of 100 kilotons is detonated over the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, a total humanitarian disaster will occur within seconds, where nearly half of the city’s inhabitants will be killed or injured.
Our estimate shows that nearly 40,000 people would be killed by the subsequent fireball that would spread a kilometer out from the hypocenter, as well as the extreme overpressure and shock wave that would kill tens of thousands of kilometers from the detonation.
The explosion creates an enormous overpressure that spreads faster than the speed of sound. The pressure wave crushes buildings, and people are buried and burned alive. In addition, many are injured by flying objects, especially glass from blown windows. Humans are relatively resistant to pressure changes, but near the bursting point, the overpressure will crush and damage internal organs. Within a very short time, over 50,000 will be seriously injured.
What will this mean for the healthcare system? How will they be able to handle all the injured?
Before the US dropped nuclear weapons on Hiroshima, the city had 300 doctors. After the explosion, there were only 30 left. Most of the hospitals were in ruins and 93 percent of the city’s 1,780 nurses were dead or injured. In Trondheim, according to Statistics Norway, we have 1,784 doctors and 5,151 nurses.
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If a nuclear weapon were to detonate over the center of Trondheim, many of these people would be killed or injured. In Trondheim there is one hospital, St. Olav’s hospital. This hospital is located in the center of Trondheim, less than a kilometer from Nidaros Cathedral. One must therefore assume that the entire building mass will collapse as a result of the pressure wave. The hospital will thus be completely out of business and will not be able to help any of the survivors.
If we nevertheless assume that half of the doctors survive and can provide help, there are 892 doctors available. Among them, only a few will have adequate specialist skills to give the injured the treatment they will need. With 892 doctors and 53,180 injured people, each doctor has to take care of 60 patients at the same time. Under normal circumstances, an intensive care physician treats 1–4 patients at the same time.
As doctors, we are obliged to help the injured. But in the event that a nuclear weapon is detonated over a Norwegian city, large parts of the health sector will be completely out of action.
Our estimates show similar figures for Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø. Should a nuclear weapon go off over the Storting in Oslo, over 100,000 could be killed and 190,000 injured.
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Also in Bergen and Tromsø, around half of the population will be killed or injured in a similar detonation.
Our estimates show that no Norwegian city has anywhere near enough hospital places to receive injured people in a scenario where a nuclear bomb with an explosive power of 100 kilotons of TNT is detonated over the city.
The conclusion is that the Norwegian healthcare system does not have the ability to handle the medical and humanitarian consequences of a nuclear weapon being detonated on Norwegian soil.
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What we cannot treat, we must prevent. The Norwegian authorities must also realize that we have no preparedness against the use of nuclear weapons and do what they can to remove the risk.
The UN nuclear weapons ban was adopted in 2017. The ban is a comprehensive treaty that prohibits all activities related to nuclear weapons. Both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states can accede to the treaty.
By joining the nuclear weapons ban, Norway can distance itself from nuclear weapons and contribute to stigmatizing this weapon of mass destruction. As a NATO member, Norway can play an important role.
By taking a clear stance against nuclear weapons, Norway can help put nuclear disarmament on the agenda within the defense alliance, which in turn will put pressure on Russia and other nuclear weapon states to do the same.
2023-09-23 10:14:17
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