21st Century Tragedies in MRI Scanners / Ofer Ben Horin

MRI expert warns following fatal case: Magnetic field 30 times stronger than Earth's could turn any metal object fatal

Recently, unfortunate news was published about a patient at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital who went in for an MRI scan while wearing a pacemaker. During the scan, the patient lost consciousness due to damage to the pacemaker's function as a result of exposure to the magnetic field. The medical team performed CPR on her and managed to restore her heart activity, but she suffered severe brain damage, and after 13 days of hospitalization, the patient died. The circumstances of the incident and the possible connection to the MRI scan were not fully explained to her husband, who is a doctor by profession.

As someone who has been active in the field of MRI for years – both in clinical imaging and research – and as the author of the best-selling book "MRI The Complete Guide – Medicine and Physics Meet", I encounter almost daily objections from patients to removing metal objects before entering the examination. Many are unaware of the strength of the magnetic field and the real danger it poses. MRI scanners are one of the most significant inventions in modern medicine, because they allow us to see inside the human body in high resolution, without exposure to ionizing radiation. On the other hand, we must not forget the danger behind the impressive imaging: a very strong magnetic field, in the case of 1.5 Tesla, 30,000 times the strength of the Earth's magnetic field, which can turn any metal item fatal.

There have been quite a few cases of injuries, and some even deaths, in MRI scanners due to the strong magnet - below we will note some of the most notable ones that occurred in the 21st century (it is important to note that quite a few malfunctions occurred in the previous century as well):

July 2025 – A 61-year-old man was killed after being pulled into an MRI machine at the Nassau Open MRI Center in Westbury, Long Island, when a large metal chain he was wearing around his neck was pulled into the active magnet as he entered the MRI scanner room to perform an exam on his wife. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, July 16, 2025, and he was thrown into the machine and critically injured, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and died of his injuries the next day, July 17, 2025.

2001, New York (USA)– A 6-year-old boy was killed during an MRI scan after a metallic oxygen balloon was accidentally introduced into the examination room. The balloon was sucked into the active magnet and hit the boy's head with great force. The incident shocked the medical community and prompted a series of safety reforms in the US.

2009, Chicago (USA)– A 6-year-old girl was undergoing an MRI scan at a hospital when a nurse entered the room with a portable infusion machine with a metal base. The device was drawn into the magnet at high speed and hit the girl’s face. She was hospitalized with serious injuries and required extensive treatment, but survived.

2010, United States– Beginning of reports in the medical literature of skin burns during MRI examinations due to tiny metal fibers incorporated into modern clothing. In one case report documented and published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology at the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, an 11-year-old girl was described as developing a second-degree burn after an MRI scan, when it was later discovered that the clothing she was wearing contained antibacterial silver threads. Later in the decade, as the use of sportswear and “technological” textiles expanded, additional media reports appeared in the United States about patients experiencing a burning sensation and even burns during MRI scans after wearing performance clothing containing tiny conductive fibers. In 2023, warnings were issued in hospitals in the United States following cases in which patients wore clothing from the prestigious sports brand “Lululemon,” and after the scan, signs of heating and burning were found on the skin. Following these reports, procedures were tightened and it was recommended to avoid advanced sportswear with conductive fibers in “technological” fabrics and to change into a dedicated gown or simple cotton clothing before The scan.

2014, Mumbai (India)-A 30-year-old man died after entering an MRI room with a metal oxygen tank. The tank was sucked into the magnet and hit him hard. The incident occurred due to a mistake in identifying the risk and the failure to take appropriate safety measures.

2015, Shanghai (China)– An elderly patient was dragged into the scanning room in a metal wheelchair that was not MRI-compatible. As soon as the machine was turned on, the chair was pulled into the magnet, causing a serious injury to the patient's back. The incident prompted an official warning within the local health system.

2016, California (USA)– An MRI technician was injured in the head while preparing for an exam when a metal object accidentally left in the scanning room was sucked into the magnet. The impact caused him to temporarily lose consciousness, and he was evacuated by medical personnel.

2017, Rome (Italy)-A radiologist entered an MRI room with a cell phone in his pocket. The phone was suddenly pulled toward the magnet, colliding with it forcefully, and hitting the doctor's arm. The phone also caused an electrical short circuit that disabled the machine.

2018, Mumbai (India)-A 32-year-old man accompanied his relative for an MRI scan and entered the MRI room holding an oxygen tank. The tank was quickly pulled toward the magnet, trapping the young man between the tank and the scanner. He was critically injured and later died.

2019, Seoul (South Korea)– A patient's companion entered the examination room carrying a backpack with an internal metal frame. The frame was pulled toward the magnet and struck the companion's body, causing him to collapse on the spot with serious injuries.

2022, Manchester (UK)-A patient's service dog accidentally entered an MRI room wearing a metal harness. The harness was pulled forcefully toward the magnet, and the dog was thrown into it and killed on the spot. The case sparked a public outcry and calls for stricter regulation.

2023, Sao Paulo (Brazil)-A 46-year-old lawyer, who carried a licensed personal weapon, entered an MRI room with the gun on his body. The weapon was attracted to the magnet and during the collision a bullet was ejected that hit him. He died on the spot, and the incident raised questions about the need for strict safety screening even in cases of law enforcement or security personnel. A similar incident occurred in Israel last year, and fortunately for those present, it ended with minor injuries.

In conclusion, the MRI is an amazing tool – but it should not be treated as a technical routine. Any violation of safety procedures could result in serious injury or death. The recent case in New York is a clear warning sign. It is important to remember that any ferromagnetic metal object (an object that can be magnetized) that comes within range could become a projectile – even if it is a small item like a hair clip, scissors, button, hairpin, or piece of jewelry. For this reason, it is important to listen to the safety procedures of MRI centers and help them prevent mistakes.

Author of the article: Ofer Ben Horin, with about 30 years of experience in applications, drug research and training in the field of MRI. Works at the Technion and Assuta. Author of the book "MRI: The Complete Guide - Medicine and Physics Meet" on the website https://mriguide.co.il/