Five people were killed on Saturday when two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed near Eura Airport in western Finland, according to local police.
Detective Chief Inspector Johannes Siirila confirmed the fatalities, stating that both helicopters were carrying a total of five individuals—two in one aircraft and three in the other. The helicopters had departed from the Estonian capital, Tallinn, and were en route to Piikajärvi, a location only a few kilometres from the crash site.
While police have not released the identities of the victims, Finnish media have reported that those on board were businessmen.
A witness to the crash, Antti Marjanen, described the incident to Finnish newspaper Iltalehti, recalling how one helicopter struck the other during a manoeuvre. “One of them dropped like a stone and the other one more slowly. I didn’t hear any sound,” he said.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the collision, and air traffic officials are expected to assist in determining what caused the tragic mid-air crash.