Two people died when a van exploded outside Hotel Joroinen in eastern Finland on Saturday afternoon. Police confirmed no third victim was involved in the incident.
Investigators found both victims in the immediate vicinity of the explosion on the hotel's outdoor parking area. Police cannot yet confirm whether the victims were inside or outside the vehicle at the time of detonation.
Chief Inspector Toni Reinikainen stated authorities have ruled out speculation about additional casualties. "Based on yesterday's inspections and investigations, the rumor about a third victim is untrue," he said in a statement.
Two vans were parked side-by-side at the scene. One vehicle completely destroyed in the blast while the other sustained severe damage and caught fire. The explosion damaged multiple other vehicles in the parking area though exact numbers remain unclear.
Police continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and the victims' connection to the incident. Technical investigation at the scene continued through Sunday with improved resources.
Reinikainen noted the case is currently treated as an accident but the classification could change as the investigation progresses. Police have not yet established whether the deceased were hotel guests.
Hotel owner Auvo Puurtinen estimated repair costs could reach hundreds of thousands of euros. The explosion shattered windows and doors throughout the hotel building though the main structure avoided fire damage.
"This is challenging but not necessarily crippling," Puurtinen said. "I believe we can restore hotel operations quickly."
The blast impact extended considerable distance from the epicenter. Such incidents remain rare in rural Finnish communities where violent crime is uncommon.
Local residents expressed distress over the explosion that has affected the entire village community. Police aim to complete the technical investigation and return the property to its owner by Sunday evening.