Thousands of Finns go every year to the lakes and the coast to celebrate the Midsummer holiday. Like every year, the combination of a great celebration and water activities has taken its toll in the form of several human lives.
According to figures released by the Finnish Coast Guard, at least 8 people drowned in Finland over the Midsummer weekend.
Four of these deaths occurred on Saturday in the areas of Pieksämäki (Southern Savonia), Nokia (Pirkanmaa), Lohja and Raseborg (Uusimaa), authorities reported.
On Friday, Midsummer eve, the authorities had reported another four drownings, two of them in Kontiolahti (North Karelia), one in Leppävirta (North Savonia) and another in the Southwest Finland area.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding these deaths.
Drunkenness
Police in the Turku region (Southwest Finland) also reported incidents caused by drunkenness, such as fights outside bars, driving under the influence, alcohol and drug intoxication, suicidal behavior and noise-related complaints.
The 112 emergency response center wrote on Twitter that 11,598 contacts were received on Friday, about the same number as the previous year. About 40% of those calls were related to police matters.
