Teenager pulls gun from lake with magnet in Lahti

A 15-year-old magnet fisherman, Onni-Eemil Viitala, pulled a handgun from the water at Lahti harbour in June, Yle reports.

Viitala and a friend were searching for underwater metal objects when the magnet retrieved a 7.65 calibre Bayard pocket pistol. He immediately reported the find to emergency services, and police arrived within 40 minutes to remove the weapon.

Later the same day, the pair found a bullet and a folding knife near a neighbouring dock. Police also collected these items. The bullet calibre did not match the pistol.

Police praised the teens for calling emergency services and warned the public not to move or examine such finds. The pistol’s serial number was checked, but no owner was found. With no suspicion of crime, the weapon was destroyed.

Häme police report that a few firearms are found annually in the region’s waters and terrain. In 2020, schoolboys in Lahti harbour accidentally pulled up a wartime grenade.