While most drownings typically occur at unmonitored swimming areas, more incidents than usual have happened at public beaches this summer.
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Two young people were found drowned at Kalajoki’s Hiekkasärkät beach, and a third remains missing. Image: Juha Virranniemi / Yle
Friday marked one of the deadliest days on Finnish waters in recent memory, with six people drowning and another still missing, according to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL). The incidents occurred in Kalajoki, Espoo, Lahti, Hyrynsalmi and Pälkäne.
“This is an exceptionally tragic situation,” said FSL Executive Director Kristiina Heinonen. “I can’t recall another single day with this many drownings.”
According to FSL’s preliminary statistics, compiled from media and public sources, 40 people drowned in Finland between January and June this year. Heinonen noted that several recent near-drowning cases requiring resuscitation highlight an unusually dangerous start to the summer swimming season.
Most drownings typically occur at unmonitored locations, such as lakeside cottages. However, Heinonen said more incidents than usual have happened at public beaches this summer.
She emphasised the responsibility of parents to supervise children even at lifeguarded locations and urged the use of life vests on all types of watercraft — including paddleboards.
Heinonen also raised concerns about children’s swimming abilities, noting that skill levels vary significantly between municipalities.
Yle News reporter Matthew Schilke spoke to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL) on staying safe while cooling off in the summer.
Drownings across the country
Two young people were found drowned at Kalajoki’s Hiekkasärkät beach, and a third remains missing. Authorities received an emergency call around 6:50pm reporting that three teenagers, all around 15 years old, had drifted roughly 100 metres from shore and were calling for help. Witnesses said they quickly disappeared beneath the surface.
Two were recovered — one was resuscitated on the scene, while the other was pronounced dead. Search efforts for the third continued on Saturday.
A man in his early twenties drowned near Kivenlahti beach in Espoo after jumping from a pier and failing to resurface. Emergency services were alerted at 5:50pm, and divers recovered the body after a 30-minute search.
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A map showing the locations of the drowning incidents across Finland on Friday. Image: Maija Keskisaari / Yle, Mapcreator, OpenStreetMap
An elderly woman drowned in Lake Kukkia near the island of Iso-Vekuna after going swimming from a dock. She was found close to the spot where she had entered the water. Rescue services were called around 5pm.
A 10-year-old child drowned at Pajulahti beach in Lahti just after noon. The child, attending a football camp with Helsinki-based club FC Kontu, had been missing for about 20 minutes before their belongings were discovered unattended onshore. Rescue divers later found the body near the pier.
In Hyrynsalmi, Kainuu, an elderly man drowned Friday evening after swimming at Vonkka beach. Emergency services were notified just before 8pm. His body was later recovered from a deep section near the shoreline.
FSL and local authorities continue to stress water safety, supervision and preparedness as warm weather draws crowds to Finland’s lakes and beaches.