Finnish authorities issue three-hour drone alert in Uusimaa region

Finnish authorities issued an emergency warning on Friday morning after reports of possible drone activity over the Uusimaa region, advising residents to stay indoors. The alert was lifted after three hours, with officials confirming no further threat.

According to a timeline released by public broadcaster Yle, the incident began at 3:47 AM when emergency response centers received a police report about a drone. Two minutes later, the Finnish Ministry of the Interior’s rescue authorities issued a public warning via media and the 112 emergency app, urging people in Uusimaa to move indoors until further notice.

At 4:00 AM, the Finnish Defence Forces established a temporary flight restriction zone to prevent civilian movement in the area, ensuring any stray drones could be safely intercepted. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport suspended flights, and maritime traffic in the Gulf of Finland was rerouted. Finavia, Finland’s airport operator, confirmed the shutdown, while port operations also halted.

By 6:26 AM, police reported multiple sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles in southern Finland’s airspace. The alert was officially lifted at 7:06 AM, with Kimmo Kohvakka, director-general of rescue services, stating it had been a precautionary measure. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo later confirmed on social media that schools and workplaces were safe to attend.

Finnish Air Force Hornet jets patrolled the skies over Uusimaa and the Helsinki coastline during the incident. Public transport in the capital region, including buses, metros, and trams, continued operating with minor disruptions—around 100 bus services were canceled, according to regional transport authority HSL.

Authorities advised the public that if a drone is found, they should maintain a distance of at least 150 meters.