Safety probe begins after fatal explosion at Laukaa explosives plant

Finland’s Safety Investigation Authority (Otkes) has launched a safety probe into a fatal explosion at Nammo’s Vihtavuori plant in Laukaa, central Finland, the agency announced on social media.

The blast occurred Wednesday morning in a 1,000-square-metre two-component mass building not in production use. One person died and another was injured. Both were contractors working on an expansion project scheduled for completion later this year.

Otkes said the victim had been cutting a pressure pipe containing residues of an explosive substance, triggering the detonation. Investigators are determining the exact material involved.

The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) is considering whether to appoint its own investigation team. A decision is expected Friday, according to Kati Hietamäki, head of Tukes’ industrial processes unit, who confirmed the agency has already visited the site and spoken with plant staff.