Two human chains formed at Helsinki beach to find missing children

Two separate human chains were formed at Hietaniemi beach in Helsinki on Tuesday to locate two missing children, both around 10 years old, according to the city’s sports services.

In both cases, beachgoers linked hands to search the water and shoreline after the children were reported missing. One of the children found in the water was a non-swimmer. All incidents ended safely.

A third near-drowning involved a non-swimming adult who ventured into a sudden deep section of the beach and panicked when losing footing. Bystanders assisted, and the individual was monitored afterward but did not require hospitalization.

Edicarla Salo, who filmed the human chain, said she wanted to remind people of water dangers. She praised the lifeguard’s calm response and the collective effort of beachgoers, noting that swimmers were initially called out of the water before being asked to return and form a chain.

Jukka Lundgren of Helsinki’s sports services commended the actions of bystanders and lifeguards, attributing their preparedness to training by the Finnish Swimming and Lifesaving Federation. He urged guardians to always know their children’s whereabouts, especially non-swimmers.

Lundgren noted that in one of the child incidents, the family had an immigrant background. He emphasized that water safety is less familiar to some immigrant groups due to fewer opportunities for swimming in natural settings or school lessons, but stressed the importance of learning to swim regardless of background.