Four killed, several injured as train collides with army truck in Finland

Four were killed and several others injured when a train crashed into an army truck, during a military exercise in southern Finland on Thursday, according to police and defense forces.

The accident occurred at an unguarded railway crossing, near the city of Raasepori, 90 kilometres west of Helsinki, when two military vehicles were crossing the tracks on their way to a training site.

The train and one of the vehicles collided, killing three aboard the truck, as well as a passenger on the train, said officials. Road conditions were unsafe due to rain and snowfall.

Four were taken to Helsinki with severe injuries and seven others were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries. All patients were said to be in a stable condition.

Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila and President Sauli Niinisto both offered their condolences to the victims and their families.

“The young conscripts were there for their country. That their journey ended in many deaths and in serious injuries is a true tragedy”, said Niinisto in a statement.