An explosive belt (also called suicide belt) is a vest packed with explosives (sometimes with nails, screws, bolts and other objects to maximize the number of casualties) and a detonator that is worn by suicide bombers.

A "loaded" vest may weigh between 5-20 kg and may be hidden under thick clothes, usually leather jackets or snow coats.

Although it is actually a vest, covering the entire stomach and usually has shoulder straps, the explosive vest is popularly depicted as a thick belt with cartoon-like dynamite sticks tied to it, usually with a ticking clock on the side.

A common security drill against suicide bombers is to isolate the suspect to at least 15 meters distance from people and ask him to remove his upper clothing (coat, shirt etc) in order to see if there is an explosive vest strapped under them. This drill is problematic when dealing with female suicide bombers.

See also:

• explosive vest
• bomb
• terrorism
• suicide bombing
  • female suicide bomber
  • child suicide bomber
• Terrorist groups using explosive belts:
  • Hamas
  • Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
  • Al-Qaida
  • Islamic Jihad
  • Chechen rebel groups