Search for unexploded explosives continues at Laakso Hospital construction site in Helsinki

The search for unexploded explosives continues this week at the construction site of Laakso Hospital in Helsinki. The site has been under investigation since a detonation incident on August 9, which resulted in injury to two workers when an explosive device was triggered.

Last week, bomb detection dogs located two unexploded shells onsite. This week, areas previously marked by the dogs are being further examined, including the use of excavators, according to project manager Ossi Inkilä from construction company SRV. The primary focus of the search will be near the accident site, after which a decision will be made on whether to expand the search to underground areas of the construction site.

The two explosive detection dogs that worked in the area last week are expected to return for another sniffing session, likely this week. Inkilä reassured that the use of dogs and the ongoing search with heavy machinery is safe. He noted that a blast requires either a detonator or significant force to activate, stating that “the probability of an explosive being triggered by a dog, a person, or even the bucket of a construction excavator is extremely low.”

SRV follows a safety plan established with experts for the detection of explosives, ensuring utmost safety during operations. The company has contracted private firms for the dogs, which, according to Inkilä, is uncommon but not unheard of in construction sites, with more frequent use observed abroad.

In the wake of the incident, SRV has organized three discussion sessions to provide support for workers who may have been affected by the accident, encouraging a low-threshold participation approach. The incident is currently under investigation by the police and the Accident Investigation Board of Finland.