Sweden sees rise in shootings in 2020

The number of the shootings is on the rise in Sweden, with the figure reaching new highs in 2020, reported Xinhua, quoting local media on Tuesday.

Swedish Television, citing statistics from the Swedish Police Authority, showed that by November, there had been as many shootings in 2020 as during the whole of 2019.

Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 15, there were 349 confirmed shootings in Sweden, with 111 people wounded and 44 dead as a result of gun violence. The death figure is close to the highest number on record so far -- 45 gun-related deaths in 2018.

Most of the shootings, or 146, occurred in the capital Stockholm, where 23 deaths and 48 injuries were reported.

According to the police, most incidents are related to organized crime and concern vendettas and conflicts between gang members.

Criminologist Joakim Sturup told Swedish Television that one reason behind the worrying statistics is that automatic weapons are becoming more commonly used by gang members.