Turkish police plan to use fragmentation tear gas canisters that scatter into pieces after being fired due to the injury risk that the huge canisters currently in use pose, according to reports in the Turkish media.

The Turkish National Police have already acquired a shipment of gas canisters purchased from Brazil for use in Istanbul, and they will be in use in other cities as well after a trial period and police training.

The canisters break up into to six pieces once fired, and pose no risk of injury, even at close distance. Media reports say that authorities have planned for domestic production of the canisters in the near future. Old canisters still in use across Turkey will be demolished.

Tear gas canisters are widely used by police to disperse unauthorized rallies as well as rioters, but they are criticized for being lethal. Berkin Elvan, a Gezi Park rioter, died after 269 days in a coma, after he was hit on the head by a tear gas canister fired by police dispersing rioters.