27 young people, mostly minors, were injured Thursday when a makeshift bridge collapsed in Finland, local police said.
It was a temporary scaffolding bridge at a construction site in the Tapiola area of Espoo. The makeshift structure is located near the entrance to the Tapiola metro station.
The country’s health authorities are talking about another 24 seriously wounded, who are being treated in four hospitals in the region, including a children’s hospital.
Most of the injured are children who were on a school trip from Kalasatama Primary School to a museum in Espoo.
Itätuulenkujalla tilapäinen silta romahtanut. Noin 27 nuorta pääosin alaikaääas ovat säsäureneet. Sairaankuljetusta tässevien tällätät on aloitte.
Omaisille sähetuttieustelupuhelinnumerot. Tel 0947187521, 0947187522, 0947187524 https://t.co/WsGyv8ajV6— LU Pelastuslaitos (@lupelastus) May 11, 2023
Children fell from a height of several meters after the collapse of the bridge, their injuries varying degrees of severity, some consider serious. Most of the wounded are associated with fractures of the limbs, and none of the victims are life-threatening.
The collapse, which happened just before 9:30 a.m. Thursday, was preceded by a strange sound, said the student, who narrowly escaped injury. According to information, the draft bridge was made of plywood. Locals say the footbridge has long looked dangerous. Demolition of an apartment building has been going on at the site of the accident for several weeks now.
This was stated by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. his sadness over the accident tweeted: “Shocking news about the Tapiola accident. The offer of support and assistance is now important,” the head of state wrote.
Pysäyttä uutinen Tapiolan täläumudesta. Tuen ja avun avuntäminen nyt important.
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) May 11, 2023
Outgoing Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin also expressed her sadness and concern: “Shocking news from Espoo. Strength to the victims of the accident and their families. Our thoughts are with them.”
Järkytava uutinen Esposta. Voimaa kalneumedessa sähäurineille ja höhens ähäisilleen. Olette ayatux.
— Sanna Marin (@MarinSanna) May 11, 2023
The operation involves rescuers and first aid teams from all over the capital city of Helsinki, whose metropolitan area also includes Espoo.
Source: Reuters, Helsingin Sanomat, YLE.
Source: Kathimerini
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