Prosecutors are seeking conditional prison sentences for two construction workers involved in a temporary bridge collapse in Tapiola, Espoo. The incident occurred in May 2023 when a 40-person school group was crossing the pedestrian bridge. The bridge's fasteners failed, sending one adult and 22 children falling five meters onto the roadway below. One child managed to hold onto the railing while other pedestrians helped them to safety.
The students sustained various injuries in the fall. Some suffered traumatic brain injuries, others broke bones, and several required stitches for their wounds. The temporary bridge had been in use for approximately eighteen months before the collapse.
Prosecutors state the bridge had been crossed by large numbers of people before the accident, exposing them to fall risks and potential serious injury or death. The charges focus on two men: the project manager who designed the scaffolding bridge and the work supervisor responsible for regular inspections. Both were employed by Renta Oy at the time.
According to the prosecution, both men acted with gross negligence. The defendants deny the criminal charges. The project manager claims the accident resulted from Espoo city's faulty ordering process. He states the city didn't order or produce proper construction plans and calculations for the bridge.
The project manager explained the city prioritized speed, temporary and movable structures, smooth access to neighboring properties, and low costs. Espoo city itself faces no charges in the case. Prosecutors note the city rented the temporary scaffolding bridge from Renta Oy on a turnkey basis, including design and inspection services.
The work supervisor maintained his inspections were visual checks to ensure no damage had occurred to the scaffolding. He argued that since professionals had already conducted commissioning inspections, he reasonably assumed the bridge was properly constructed according to relevant guidelines and regulations.
Finland's Safety Investigation Authority conducted an independent investigation into the dramatic accident. Their findings revealed multiple construction flaws. The bridge couldn't withstand anywhere near the load capacity bridges are required to bear. Investigators identified the weakest components as the fastening parts at the ends of the cross beams. These parts bent open, causing the cross beams, scaffolding platforms, and plywood sheets to fall.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about temporary structure safety in Finnish construction. Finland's strict liability laws mean professionals bear responsibility for ensuring public safety, regardless of client demands or budget constraints. The legal proceedings will test how responsibility is allocated between municipal clients and private contractors in infrastructure projects.
The outcome could influence how Finnish cities approach temporary infrastructure projects and what safety standards they require from contractors. For international readers, this case demonstrates Finland's robust approach to construction safety accountability, even when accidents don't result in fatalities. The serious charges reflect the Finnish legal system's low tolerance for professional negligence that endangers public safety.