47 • Were there any vulnerable persons (e.g., children, persons with disabilities or elderly people) in the area the launchers/firearms were used? Were any affected? • Were the same people targeted more than once in a short space of time? • Were any bystanders injured? If not, was there a risk that this might happen? • Was anyone directly hit by a launched chemical irritant projectile? • Was a warning issued before the use of launchers/firearms? How far in advance of the use was the warning issued? • Was medical help provided (by the police, medical service) to those affected by the launchers/firearms? Illustrative examples of health and human rights implications Police use of weapon-fired tear gas cartridges as impact projectiles was documented against protesters in an OSCE participating State in 2013. A major human rights NGO reported that scores of protesters suffered serious head injuries as a result of this practice. Reportedly, at least 11 people suffered vision loss and at least two people were killed after being struck in the head with tear gas cartridges. In 2011, local authorities in the town of one of the OSCE participating States arranged Independence Day celebrations in a square that striking workers had been occupying for months. As altercations reportedly broke out between workers and festivalgoers, police intervened. After a group of men set fire to some of the equipment being used for the celebrations the police responded by firing live ammunition into the crowd. Video footage of the incident appears to show police officers firing indiscriminately into the crowd, hitting people who did not appear to pose any imminent threat and at least some of whom were fleeing. According to official figures, at least 14 were killed and dozens were seriously injured, including 64 with shotgun wounds.