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 6 Version 7
'Fatal' shooting at Finnish mall Fatal shooting at mall in Finland
(20 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. Four people have been killed by a gunman at a shopping centre in the southern Finnish city of Espoo, near the capital Helsinki, police have said.
Four people have been killed, according to the website of the Finnish national broadcaster, YLE, though this has not been confirmed. A man dressed in black shot dead the three men and a woman with a 9mm pistol at a grocery store in the Sello centre, according to the state broadcaster YLE.
Police and ambulances are at the scene, but there are no reports of the gunman having been stopped. Police said the gunman was born in 1966 and had a criminal record. They are still searching for him in the area.
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 1020 local time (0820 GMT) inside the Prisma grocery store, on the second floor.
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, EspooMy 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 told YLE that the gunman appeared to have opened fire at random and that at least one employee was left lying on the floor afterwards.
A separate, unconfirmed, report said one person had been shot twice in the head and another in the stomach. The Ilta-Sanomat newspaper said one man was shot twice in the head and a woman in the stomach. It is not known if they were among the dead.
Parts of the shopping centre were closed and trains were not stopping at the local railway station, YLE said. Another witness said chaos had ensued after the first shots were heard.
"There were loads of people who were crying, and many vendors who were completely panicked," the witness told Finnish radio.
The gunman was later seen walking towards another shop.
Local police chief Jyrkky Kallio told the AFP news agency that officers knew the identity of the 43-year-old attacker, but not his whereabouts. He also said they did not know whether there were any other casualties.
The shopping centre has been evacuated and cordoned off and police and trains are not stopping at the local railway station. Several ambulances are outside.
The Sello shopping mall describes itself as one of the region's largest with more than 170 shops. It opened in 2005.
Gun laws tightenedGun 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 The Sello shopping mall describes itself as one of the region's largest
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 belowAre 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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions