This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8435857.stm
The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
'Fatal' shooting at Finnish mall | 'Fatal' shooting at Finnish mall |
(10 minutes later) | |
Several people have been shot dead at a shopping centre in the southern Finnish city of Espoo, near the capital, Helsinki, Finland's media report. | Several people have been shot dead at a shopping centre in the southern Finnish city of Espoo, near the capital, Helsinki, Finland's media report. |
Four people have been killed, according to the website of the Finnish national broadcaster, YLE, though this has not been confirmed. | Four people have been killed, according to the website of the Finnish national broadcaster, YLE, though this has not been confirmed. |
Police and ambulances are at the scene, but there are no reports of the gunman having been stopped. | Police and ambulances are at the scene, but there are no reports of the gunman having been stopped. |
The incident is Finland's third major shooting in the past two years. | The incident is Finland's third major shooting in the past two years. |
Thursday's bloodshed reportedly broke out at about 1000 local time (0800 GMT) at the Sello shopping centre. | Thursday's bloodshed reportedly broke out at about 1000 local time (0800 GMT) at the Sello shopping centre. |
My parents were just going up the escalator from the first floor when police started shouting at them to get out of the building AnttiBBC reader, Espoo | My parents were just going up the escalator from the first floor when police started shouting at them to get out of the building AnttiBBC reader, Espoo |
A witness said an employee of the Prisma grocery store was left lying on the floor of the shop, and that a man dressed in black was seen walking toward the Citymarket store. | A witness said an employee of the Prisma grocery store was left lying on the floor of the shop, and that a man dressed in black was seen walking toward the Citymarket store. |
A separate, unconfirmed, report said one person had been shot twice in the head and another in the stomach. | A separate, unconfirmed, report said one person had been shot twice in the head and another in the stomach. |
Parts of the shopping centre were closed and trains were not stopping at the local railway station, YLE said. | Parts of the shopping centre were closed and trains were not stopping at the local railway station, YLE said. |
Gun laws tightened | Gun laws tightened |
There is a long tradition of hunting in Finland, which has vast areas of forest and wilderness, but until recently gun crime has been rare. | There is a long tradition of hunting in Finland, which has vast areas of forest and wilderness, but until recently gun crime has been rare. |
Parts of the shopping centre were evacuated and closed after the attack | |
But two deadly shootings in recent years focused attention on gun laws in a country where young people were permitted to own and use a firearm at 15 years of age if they had parental consent. | But two deadly shootings in recent years focused attention on gun laws in a country where young people were permitted to own and use a firearm at 15 years of age if they had parental consent. |
In November 2007, an 18-year-old went on a gun rampage at his school in Tuusula, killing seven pupils and a teacher, before turning the gun on himself. He had posted a video warning of the attack on the internet. | In November 2007, an 18-year-old went on a gun rampage at his school in Tuusula, killing seven pupils and a teacher, before turning the gun on himself. He had posted a video warning of the attack on the internet. |
Then, in September 2008, a 22-year-old trainee chef killed 10 people at a college before killing himself. | Then, in September 2008, a 22-year-old trainee chef killed 10 people at a college before killing himself. |
He, too, had put a video on the internet showing himself shooting a gun. After doing that he was interviewed by police, but they decided it was not sufficient reason to revoke his gun licence. | He, too, had put a video on the internet showing himself shooting a gun. After doing that he was interviewed by police, but they decided it was not sufficient reason to revoke his gun licence. |
After the second attack, stricter rules on permits for pistols and revolvers were introduced. | After the second attack, stricter rules on permits for pistols and revolvers were introduced. |
Handgun permits would no longer be granted to first-time applicants, the interior ministry said. | Handgun permits would no longer be granted to first-time applicants, the interior ministry said. |
Instead, they must train for at least a year at a gun club before being allowed to apply for a permit. | Instead, they must train for at least a year at a gun club before being allowed to apply for a permit. |
All applicants must also provide a note from a doctor about their mental health and sit an interview with police. | All applicants must also provide a note from a doctor about their mental health and sit an interview with police. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by these events? Send us your comments using the form below | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by these events? Send us your comments using the form below |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |