IZMIR, Türkiye 

The Swedish law enforcement and security authorities seized a record number of explosives last year, with the number of bombings rising to 149, the head of the nation's Bomb Data Center said, who described 2023 as the darkest year in the nation's history in terms of criminal gangs using explosives to target each other. 

Authorities seized over 10 tons of explosives last year, Malin Nygren told local Swedish broadcaster SR Radio.

She said 149 bombings occurred in Sweden last year, a two-thirds increase, and that "we have never seen anything like this."

The vast majority of the explosions occurred in urban areas, she said, blaming several criminal gangs using explosive materials in their fights.

Controlling bomb explosions cannot be prevented overnight, despite the efforts of concerned authorities, she said.

Hundreds of people have been forced to flee their homes after powerful explosions in apartment buildings and residential areas were reported throughout the year.

Despite years of bloodshed that have prompted criminologists to compare the situation to Mexico's drug cartels, no action has been taken, the SVD daily reported.

One of last year's most powerful bombings was reported in Hasselby, northwest Stockholm, using 15 kilograms of dynamite.

Nygren said 50% of the dynamite traced was available in the markets.

However, the police did not launch a nationwide investigation to identify the companies that supplied the dynamite until 2023.

But the Bomb Data Center's head said the government has initiated cases in which a judicial review will determine whether the companies should be allowed to continue operating.

It is also a new law that went into effect this year, Nygren said, explaining why the government has not taken strict action against companies that sell dynamites on the market.

Police, companies, and municipalities with supervisory responsibilities have all worked separately, but no one has looked at the big picture.

A municipality is responsible for approving permits, but it has no control over whether a rogue company is working in municipalities, Nygren said.

In Sweden, there have been 650 bombings since the police began keeping track of them in 2018.

The Flammable and Explosive Goods Act was tightened in 2021, with an emphasis on increased control and assessment of the suitability of people who work in firms utilizing explosives in their business activities.

In 2023, it began to take effect, she said, adding that municipalities are making efforts and have also begun a close collaboration with the industry, which is doing a lot itself to reduce the shortcomings.

The penalties for crimes involving explosives have increased from this month 2024, Nygren said, who believes that with these new measures, the current year will not be as dark as it was last year.