A train has hit a military vehicle at a railway crossing in southern Finland, killing at least four people, police and military officials said.
The crash near Raseborg, about 50 miles south west of Helsinki, left several people injured.
Police said four people were killed, including one train passenger. The military said three soldiers died.
The wreckage of a military truck lays by the side of the tracks
“Today I have received a heartbreaking message: three conscripts have died in an accident in Raseborg,” General Jarmo Lindberg said in a statement.
A total of 11 people have been taken to nearby hospitals.
Defence minister Jussi Niinisto tweeted that “the morning had started with grim news” and “I feel grief”.
The military truck, a Finnish-made Sisu SA-150 transport vehicle, was carrying 11 soldiers, who were taking part in a drill.
Rescue, military personnel and police officers at the crossing
The commuter train, from Finland’s state-owned VR railway company, struck the vehicle at a crossing with no security features.
Images from the scene showed a slightly damaged train and the wreck of a military vehicle in the woods.
Finnish broadcaster YLE said Mr Niinisto had ordered flags at all military facilities to fly at half-mast.
President Sauli Niinisto expressed his condolences in a statement, calling it an “unfortunate tragedy”, saying the conscripts were taking part in “a task for the motherland”.
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