There were a number of injuries on Thursday afternoon following an attack with a knife near the Ratina shopping centre in the southern Finnish city of Tampere. The authorities have verified that a suspect was apprehended swiftly and that there is no ongoing danger to the public.
Emergency services were called around 4 p.m. local time, which prompted an immediate mobilization of the police, medical teams, and crisis response units. Finland’s public broadcaster, Yle, broadcast images of ambulances and police cars parked outside the shopping centre with first responders attending to victims on the sidewalk.
Though the number of injured remains confidential, witnesses were seen taking several people for medical care before they were admitted to local hospitals.
Police blocked all the mall’s entrances and exits throughout the operation, locking down the area and relocating witnesses to a meeting room on an upper floor for interrogation, local station Aamulehti said.
“We have arrested one person suspected of being behind the incident,” said Tampere Police spokesman Antti Kuusisto. “There is no current threat to the public.
Crisis-counseling staff were sent to assist victims, witnesses, and mall staff. Authorities have yet to provide details about the suspect and motive. Forensic experts are analyzing CCTV footage and evidence collected at the scene.
Officials said that information on the status of the victims and information about the attacker would be provided following initial investigations. Police have asked anyone with video or useful information to call them immediately.
