1-minute silence observed to respect Raasepori victims

The parliament at its plenary session on Thursday observed one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the level crossing accident at Raasepori.

The Prime Minister Juha Sipilä also expressed profound shock at the deaths of four people in the accident, according to a government press release.

“I was greatly saddened to hear about the accident at the level crossing in Raasepori today,” said the Prime Minister.

“On behalf of the Finnish Government and on my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. I also wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident and I hope that those affected by the tragedy will find the strength to cope,” said Sipilä.

Four people including three soldiers were killed when a train and an armored military personnel carrier collided in a small city of Raasepori in southern Finland on Thursday morning.

Three of the four victims were soldiers in the armored carrier, while the fourth was a passenger on the train.

The accident took place near the town of Tammisaari, some 100 km west of Helsinki, at a level crossing where a railway line crosses the road.