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Explosion kills one and causes widespread damage in Pietarsaari
- A large explosion in the main street of Pietarsaari (pop. 20,000) on Finland's west coast left one man dead and two others injured yesterday. The blast apparently took place between two parked vehicles on Isokatu in the downtown area, and it blew out windows and damaged cars over several blocks. Police immediately cordoned off the area and several hundred people were obliged to leave their homes or workplaces.
- Immediately after the explosion, which was felt throughout the city centre, it was believed that a bomb had gone off, but subsequent police investigations have not confirmed or denied this possibility. Police bomb experts went in shortly afterwards to ensure that the area was safe, and during the course of the evening and night it began to look as though the incident may have been an accident, perhaps caused by the careless use of explosives or triggered accidentally by a static charge.
- Police officials say it is too early even to say what type of explosive was involved, but have confirmed that the investigation will henceforth be handled by the Central Criminal Police. The victim was reportedly a middle-aged man, but he has not yet been identified. Eye-witness accounts implied that identification may be difficult as the man was practically blown to pieces by the force of the blast. Some idea of the carnage can be gained by the fact that the first rescue workers - on the scene within a few seconds as the explosion took place quite close to the local fire station - actually thought there were two fatalities. Thus far nobody has been reported missing in the Pietarsaari area, suggesting either an outsider or someone who lives alone.
- Explosions in Finnish provincial towns are not unheard of, but they are extremely rare. Naturally the people of Pietarsaari, normally a sleepy sort of place, are deeply shocked. Around thirty people went to two crisis centres that were set up, and in the street and shops the subject was discussed in subdued tones. The most recent similar incident took place back in 1995 when a car-bomb went off outside the police headquarters in Pasila, Helsinki. Subsequent investigations revealed that this was part of a revenge attack on the authorities by a drug ring, but this does not seem a very likely cause in this latest case.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 23.11.1999
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