Group from Helsinki region brought weapons to Kotka Maritime Festival

Police cleared Kotka’s Isonpuisto park on two consecutive nights during the Maritime Festival after a group of 20–30 young people arrived from the Helsinki region armed with bladed weapons and a knuckleduster, Yle reports.

The group was involved in multiple public order disturbances and assaults, including the firing of fireworks into a crowd. Authorities arrested 19 people and filed four criminal reports for assault.

Senior Constable Jukka Lankinen said most festivalgoers complied with evacuation orders, though a few were fined for refusing to leave. He noted an unusually high number of heavily intoxicated individuals causing significant disruption.

Police estimate the park’s clearance prevented dozens of additional assaults and disturbances.

The festival drew nearly 210,000 visitors over four days, but was marred by widespread graffiti on buildings along Kymenlaaksonkatu. Property maintenance worker Timo Eijamo described the damage as severe, particularly on concrete and brick surfaces where paint absorbs deeply, requiring costly repainting or sandblasting.

Business owner Heidi Noponen, who opened a photo studio and gallery in the Meritorni building two months ago, found her new window decals vandalised. She faces at least €500 in replacement costs, despite insurance coverage, and has filed a police report.