A rubbish bin exploded inside Ülemiste shopping centre in Tallinn on Saturday evening, forcing a full evacuation of the premises.
The explosion occurred at approximately 18:47 local time. Estonian rescue services confirmed to Estonian media outlet Delfi that one person was injured in the blast and taken to a hospital.
Eyewitnesses interviewed by Estonia’s National Broadcaster ERR reported hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke in the area shortly before emergency services arrived.
According to the eyewitnesses, the explosion happened on the ground floor of the shopping centre, near the entrance to the Rimi supermarket
The police cordoned off the site, and bomb disposal units were dispatched.
Shoppers inside the mall were evacuated by security staff and police, with multiple announcements made in both Estonian and English. Four city buses were brought to the scene to shelter evacuees from the cold.
Tallinn police confirmed the explosion but said the cause remains under investigation. A spokesperson for the Estonian Internal Security Service, Marta Tuul, told ERR that an inquiry is ongoing.
“If further information can be shared, we will do so,” Tuul said. “We ask the public to stay clear of the scene and allow investigators to work without disruption.”
Ülemiste is one of Estonia’s largest shopping centres and is located close to Tallinn Airport. The centre was reported to be busy at the time of the explosion, with many people on site for weekend shopping and dining.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area until further notice.
HT