Charges filed over 2024 Laakso hospital explosion
Friday 3rd July 2026 on 13:45 in
Finland
Prosecutors have filed charges against a construction site manager following a 2024 explosion at Laakso hospital in Helsinki that injured two people, Yle reports.
Regional prosecutor Mikko Larkia said the initial police investigation considered charges of workplace safety violations, endangerment, and bodily harm. The prosecutor’s office later elevated the bodily harm charges to aggravated offenses, citing probable cause to suspect gross negligence.
Police initially questioned four individuals in connection with the incident. Larkia determined that the other three suspects lacked sufficient knowledge of the events or responsibility for site safety to warrant charges.
A safety investigation found deficiencies in risk assessment and communication at the site. The explosion occurred when a hydraulic breaker struck concealed blasting explosives left in the ground for two months after earlier demolition work. The Safety Investigation Authority noted that risks in large-scale projects, such as post-demolition breaking, may not be adequately assessed.
No timeline has been set for the district court proceedings.