Fireworks trigger dangerous incidents at Finland’s summer-ending celebrations

Illegal fireworks caused dangerous situations during summer-ending celebrations in western Finland’s Ostrobothnia region, Yle reported. Police said fireworks were fired towards people, homes and passing cars despite safety instructions.

Many police departments had a busy Saturday night as celebrations marking the end of summer became disorderly. The event, known especially in Ostrobothnia as the Venetian festival, takes place on the final weekend of August.

Large groups of young people were responsible for many of the dangerous incidents, according to police. The disturbances could affect fireworks displays at future Venetian festivals. Private use of fireworks is generally prohibited, but the final weekend of August has long been an exception, alongside New Year’s Eve, particularly in the coastal areas of western Finland, where rescue authorities have allowed fireworks without a separate notification procedure.

If the problems increase, rescue authorities may stop applying the exception.

Police in Oulu said the weekend may have been one of the busiest of late summer. Officers encountered moped riders fleeing at several locations. At least three underage drivers are suspected of various offences, including endangering traffic safety, a vehicle offence and a driving licence offence.

The celebrations also drew people out in Oulu, where intoxicated young people gathered in the Kiikeli area. Police said they used fireworks illegally and recklessly and appealed on social media to parents to collect their children for their safety.

In Tampere, police intervened in young people’s celebrations at Pyynikki beach and nearby areas. The reasons included substance use and the dangerous use of fireworks. The celebration was stopped at around 10pm.

According to the Central Finland Police Department, five young people were taken into police custody because of intoxication and disorderly behaviour. One of them is suspected of resisting a public official.