Two people have died after an explosion at Hotel Joronjäki in Eastern Finland. The blast occurred Saturday in the parking area outside the hotel located in the municipality of Joroinen.
Police confirmed the explosion ignited the hotel's entrance canopy but did not spread to the main building. The force damaged the hotel facade and other vehicles parked nearby.
Emergency services received the alarm around 12:30 PM on Saturday. Authorities have cordoned off the area while technical investigators continue their work.
Senior Constable Toni Reinikainen stated the victims were found outside the hotel building. He clarified investigators have not determined if the deceased were involved in causing the explosion or were casualties.
Some hotel residents have been allowed to retrieve belongings from their rooms. The technical investigation will continue through Saturday evening to collect all possible evidence.
This tragic incident highlights the unpredictable nature of such explosions in rural Finnish communities where emergency response times can be challenging.