POLICE IN FINLAND have said that two people are dead and six injured following a stabbing incident in the city of Turku, west of Helsinki.
Police said that a man had been arrested following the incident. A tweet said that police had shot and apprehended the suspected perpetrator.
The National Police Commissioner said that the police service has increased capacity, and that “police patrols are visible throughout the country”. The incident reportedly took place in the Puutori-Market Square area.
Police said they were searching for more perpetrators in the city and advised people to avoid the centre of the city.
Public television station Yle reported that central Turku was on lockdown, with the police operation focusing on a busy square. Businesses were shut following the incident.
MTV3 television reported that police have increased security at Helsinki airport and at train stations.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has said that it is monitoring devleopments via the Irish Embassy in the Finnish capital and that there are as yet no reports of any Irish citizens involved in the incident.
“Irish citizens in Turku should exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities. They are also advised to make contact with family and friends in Ireland to let them know they are safe,” DFA said in a statement.
Finnish police have also raised the security level at Helsinki Airport as well as other transport hubs as a result of the attack
A press conference will be held on the attack later this evening at 7pm Finnish time (6pm Irish time).
According to local news agency yle.fi, eyewitnesses said they had seen at least one person injured and lying apparently lifeless in the area. There has been no official word on injuries or deaths as of yet.
A video reportedly taken from near the scene shows a number of people running and shouting.
Commenting on the incident, Finnish prime minister Juha Sipilä said that the government was closely monitoring the situation.
“The government will closely monitor the situation and the ongoing police operation in Turku,” Sipila said.
Anyone with concerns for Irish citizens in Turku can contact the DFA’s consular assistance team on 01-4082000.
Additional reporting from - © AFP, 2017
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