Lake view at Huhkojärvi in Keuruu on Midsummer Eve. Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva
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Finland recorded only one drowning over the Midsummer holiday weekend, making it one of the safest on record in five decades, according to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL).
An elderly man drowned on Thursday evening in North Karelia. As of Sunday morning, no additional drowning incidents had been reported nationwide. The FSL noted that this is only the third time in 50 years that just one person has drowned during the Midsummer period.
From 2015 to 2024, an average of six people drowned each year during Midsummer. Data from the FSL indicates that 80 percent of the victims were men and that most incidents occurred in eastern Finland.
Police also reported three fatalities in traffic accidents over the holiday weekend. Law enforcement officials said they handled a higher number of cases than during last year’s Midsummer, including numerous incidents of disorder, intoxicated driving, and accidents.
By Sunday afternoon, traffic began to intensify as holidaymakers returned home. According to traffic management company Fintraffic, congestion peaked at around 4pm. However, the start of many summer holidays meant road traffic remained slightly lighter than in previous years.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
