Police in Finnish Lapland are conducting an urgent search operation for a 75-year-old woman who disappeared from the Saariselkä wilderness area. The missing woman was last seen on Thursday, November 13th, leaving a hotel at Kiilopää fell in the popular hiking region.
The woman stands 165 centimeters tall and has gray hair. She wears glasses and was last seen wearing a red jacket, black pants, and black shoes. She may also be wearing a yellow beanie with red elements. Authorities confirm she was carrying walking poles when she disappeared.
Lapland Police have activated emergency search protocols and are requesting public assistance. They ask people to call emergency number 112 immediately with any recent sightings. For other information or tips, witnesses can contact police by email at vihjeet.lappi@poliisi.fi, through the phone answering service at 0295 466 259, or via WhatsApp at 0504 155 803.
The timing of this disappearance raises serious concerns among rescue professionals. November in Finnish Lapland brings rapidly changing conditions with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Daylight hours are shrinking dramatically as the region approaches the polar night period. Search operations face additional challenges from limited visibility and harsh weather patterns typical for this season.
Saariselkä represents one of Finland's most extensive wilderness areas, covering hundreds of square kilometers of rugged terrain. The Kiilopää region where the woman disappeared features marked hiking trails but also vast stretches of unprotected backcountry. Even experienced hikers can quickly become disoriented in these conditions, especially as darkness falls early and temperatures plummet.
Finnish rescue services maintain some of Europe's most sophisticated wilderness response capabilities. The country's extensive network of volunteer rescue squads often supplements professional teams during major search operations. Local authorities typically deploy ground teams, canine units, and when weather permits, helicopter support for aerial surveillance.
This incident highlights the importance of proper preparation when venturing into Arctic wilderness areas, even near established tourist facilities. The woman's use of walking poles suggests some level of hiking preparedness, but Lapland's environment can challenge even well-equipped visitors. International travelers should note that mobile phone coverage becomes unreliable in many parts of this remote region.
The search continues through the challenging Arctic conditions as rescue teams work against time and weather. Family and community members await updates while authorities coordinate one of the region's most complex seasonal rescue operations.