Report on the Explosion in the Myyrmanni shopping centre
The Myyrmanni shopping centre in the city of Vantaa was hit by an explosion on 11 October 2002. As a result, seven people were killed. Nearly 200 people suffered injuries of various degrees, of whom 164 people are known to have sought medical assistance.
Rescue operation was successful although official measures need to be further developed
“The explosion in the Myyrmanni shopping centre was a devastating incident. The recent report shows that in this difficult situation Finnish rescue, police, and social welfare and health authorities performed their duties extremely well. However, actions taken by the authorities still need to be further developed. The measures suggested in the report are a step in the right direction”, said Minister of the Interior Ville Itälä when he received the report prepared by an investigation group appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.
The investigation group considers that in terms of end results the actions taken by various authorities were successful, because all the victims that could be saved were in fact saved, further damage was effectively prevented, the operational area was closed off and the measures concerning psychosocial care were undertaken quickly.
The location of the shopping centre in the greater Helsinki area with excellent transport connections contributed significantly to the success of the operation, because various authorities were able to channel a vast amount of resources to the scene of the incident fast. Compared to the number of people in need of medical attention, there were enough hospitals within a relatively short distance from the shopping centre. Also, the conditions at the scene of the explosion were favourable to carry out rescue services quickly, because the load-bearing structures of the centre did not collapse.
The investigation group states in its report that although the operation was carried out successfully in terms of the end results, there was some room for improvement in the activities carried out by various authorities. These activities included preparing for major accidents, harmonising systems used for reporting incidents and their time of occurrence, defining the role and rights of medical helicopter services, developing the radio network, making the personnel participating in rescue activities more recognisable to people, improving management arrangements and internal communication, and developing services in the field of psychosocial care.
As regards the way the explosion was carried out and its target and effects, the explosion was an exceptional incident in Finland, and it sparked off a major rescue operation involving several dozen operational units and several hundred rescue, social welfare and health, and police authorities. In addition, a great number of volunteers took part in various rescue tasks and aftercare measures.
For further information, please contact Chief Fire Officer Mr Olli-Pekka Ojanen, tel. +358 400 524 477 or Project Manager Mr Taito Vainio, tel. +358 40 7256186.