Heavy storm disrupts sea, land transport

High winds caused damage and hampered transit in Finland on Tuesday evening, with conditions predicted to worsen overnight and on Wednesday.

It was reported that the wind speed reached 27 meters per second. The Finnish Meteorological Institute predicted waves reaching the height of seven meters in the northern Baltic, reported a Finnish language newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

Cruise ship operator Viking Line said some of its crossings between the Äaland islands and Sweden would be cancelled. Viking and another cruise ship operator Tallink said the rest of ships would depart on schedule, but may skip calling on the Äaland islands. Passengers were told to prepare for being seasick.

On land, a bus capsized in Ypaja, southwestern Finland. All 18 passengers got out, some with slight injuries.

On the eastern north-south railroad track, a long haul train ran into trees that had fallen on the rail on Tuesday evening. Train service was suspended until Wednesday morning at least.

Some 40,000 households were without electricity late Tuesday, HS reported.