A powerful explosion rocked the parking lot of Hotel Joronjälki in Joroinen, Finland on Saturday. The blast occurred around noon and resulted in two fatalities. A van parked in the lot exploded for unknown reasons and set fire to the hotel's entrance canopy.
Local residents took to social media to share their experiences. One person reported thinking their house was collapsing on Laurinkuja street. Another described windows rattling on Rajatie road. Multiple witnesses confirmed hearing the explosion from several kilometers away.
The sound reached Joroinen Church clearly and caused a brief pause during All Saints' Day services. Video footage shows congregants reacting to the sudden noise during the service. Church rector Anu Ylitolonen had just finished reading Psalm 23 when the blast occurred.
She told worshippers the loud bang was not part of the planned service. A journalist attending the service confirmed the explosion was clearly audible inside the church building. Emergency services responded to the scene immediately after the incident.
The remote location of Joroinen in Eastern Finland makes such incidents particularly noticeable in the quiet community. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion that disrupted this small municipality's peaceful Saturday.
Why would a vehicle explode in a hotel parking lot during daytime hours? The investigation will need to determine whether this was an accident or something more concerning for local residents.