An explosion rocked a hotel parking lot in Joroinen, Finland on Saturday. The blast ignited a fire and killed two people.
Police confirmed the deaths but have not released victim details. They promised more information by Sunday noon.
Hotel owner Auvo Puurtinen said at least one victim stayed at his hotel. The worker was employed at a nearby construction site.
Puurtinen received a concerning phone call hours after the explosion. A supervisor reported missing a worker and a van.
The caller mentioned gas canisters inside the van. The vehicle belonged to a foreign construction company.
Puurtinen's wife received condolence messages from people who mistakenly thought he died. The explosion caused an estimated €200,000 in damages.
Hotel windows shattered from the blast force. Fire damaged the entrance canopy but spared the main building.
Eight cars were parked in the lot during the incident. Rescue services forced open some hotel doors during response efforts.
Police continue technical investigations on Sunday. They have cordoned off a large area around the hotel property.
The hotel housed nine guests during the explosion. Permanent residents received temporary accommodation from welfare services.
New reservations are not being accepted this weekend. Some Saturday bookings were canceled after the incident.
Witnesses reported hearing the powerful blast kilometers away. One resident described feeling a strong shockwave that shook his two-story home.
The explosion occurred just after noon on Saturday. Emergency services received multiple calls immediately after the blast.
This tragic incident shows the hidden dangers that can accompany construction projects, even in quiet Finnish towns. The international nature of the construction company involved raises questions about safety protocols across European worksites.