Five people were arrested – all young men aged under 18 – and at least nine vehicles were damaged in the fight. Some had broken windows and dents, others were hit by fireworks.
Police officers have been pelted with bottles and stones, after intervening in a Midsummer Eve brawl in Helsinki.
It happened at Hietaniemi beach around 02:00 in the early hours of Saturday morning, when police say there were several hundred mostly young people on the beach when a fight broke out between two groups at the basketball courts.
A statement from Helsinki Police says that officers went to calm the situation and when they detained one person, the other young people began to approach the police “menacingly.”
“Before the situation escalated police were intervening in a fight situation” explains Kirsi Kanth from Helsinki Police.
“When one person was taken to the car another group of young people began to surround the police and behave inappropriately by throwing bottles and stones” she adds. Several officers were injured when they were hit by projectiles.
Some people in the crowd also aimed fireworks at the police, and as 30 police patrols responded to the incident officers used chemical spray when the crowd would not follow instructions to disperse.
“We estimate twenty people were exposed to the gas” says Kirsi Kanth.
Five people were detained, all of them men aged under 18. At least six police cars and three other vehicles were damaged in the fight with broken windows and dents. Some of the police cars were also damaged by fireworks.
Police say they don’t yet know how the situation among the various groups of young people on the beach became heated to the point of fighting. The situation had calmed down by around 03:00 on Saturday morning.
Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo (Green) calls violence against officials “reprehensible” and “particularly worrying when the authorities are injured in the course of their duties.”
“I hope for a speedy recovery for the injured officers” the minister writes.
How did the situation escalate so quickly that the police were met with such hostility from the young people at the beach?
It’s unfortunate that some young people choose aggression when faced with authority figures like the police. In such situations, tensions can escalate rapidly, leading to acts of hostility that put both the officers and the public at risk.
Were the police able to identify the main instigators of the fight among the young men arrested?
Yes, according to the statement from Helsinki Police, the authorities were able to identify the main instigators of the fight among the young men who were arrested. The police are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the involvement of each individual in the chaotic Midsummer Eve brawl.
Were the young people not aware of the risks of such violent behavior? What measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?
It is concerning to see such behavior from the youth. Awareness campaigns and community engagement programs are crucial in preventing such incidents in the future.
I believe that the behavior displayed by the young men involved in the Midsummer Eve brawl is completely unacceptable. It is disheartening to see such violence and disrespect towards law enforcement officers who are trying to maintain peace. I hope the authorities take strict actions to prevent such incidents in the future.
It’s truly disheartening to see such reckless behavior from young individuals. The authorities are there to maintain peace, and it’s unacceptable for them to be attacked while carrying out their duty. Hopefully, those responsible for this chaos will be held accountable for their actions.
Were the police officers able to control the situation quickly or did it continue to escalate further?
The police officers swiftly intervened in the brawl to control the escalating situation. Despite facing aggression from the crowd, they managed to detain those involved and prevent further chaos from unfolding.
It’s appalling to see such reckless behavior from young individuals. The police officers were just trying to maintain peace and order, and they were met with aggression and violence. I hope those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
As a resident of Helsinki, I am deeply disturbed by the incident described in the article. It is unacceptable for young individuals to engage in such violent behavior, risking their lives and causing damage to property. The police officers should be commended for their attempts to intervene and control the situation, despite facing aggression and physical harm. It is crucial for the community to come together and address the root causes of such conflicts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It’s truly concerning to hear about such violence at a peaceful event like Midsummer Eve. The behavior of the young men involved is unacceptable and puts not only themselves at risk but also the safety of others. I hope the authorities take appropriate action to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.