Four Finnish conscripts were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning during a military training exercise. The incident occurred when a plastic lighter was accidentally left on top of a tent stove.
Smoke filled one tent during nighttime training in Lohtaja, Kokkola. A conscript sleeping inside noticed the smoke and alerted seven others. All eight soldiers evacuated immediately when they detected the danger.
Training leader Lieutenant Colonel Jari Koskinen called the incident a human error. He explained that a guard who lit the stove forgot the lighter on its surface.
The stove gradually heated up and began melting the lighter casing. This produced thick smoke throughout the tent.
Four conscripts showed mild carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms. Medical staff transported them to Central Ostrobothnia Central Hospital for further examination.
All soldiers returned to the training area in good health later that night. They recovered fully from the exposure.
Koskinen noted the situation could have ended much worse. He said quick detection prevented more serious consequences.
This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols during military training. Even simple oversights can create dangerous situations in field conditions.
Finnish military exercises continue with renewed attention to equipment safety. The conscripts involved have resumed their training program.