Two conscripts from the Kainuu Brigade sustained injuries in a serious traffic accident on Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred on Highway 78 near Puolanka in central Finland.
A Defense Forces van collided with a civilian passenger car during a training exercise. Both vehicles were traveling on a straight section of road when the incident happened.
Police confirmed all three people involved required medical attention. Emergency services provided first aid at the scene before transporting them to hospital for further treatment.
The van carried two soldiers born in 2005. The civilian car had a driver born in 1953. Defense Forces officials have notified the injured soldiers' families about the accident.
Authorities are investigating both drivers for serious traffic safety offenses and aggravated negligence causing injury. Police could not interview the drivers immediately after the crash due to their injuries.
This incident highlights the risks military personnel face during routine training exercises on public roads. The straight road section where the collision occurred raises questions about what caused the accident despite favorable driving conditions.