Traces of the van explosion that occurred in Mellunkylä during the night before Monday in Helsinki on 20 October 2025. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Finnair still cancelling flights after safety issue grounds planes
A van exploded in the early hours of Monday in the Mellunkylä district of Helsinki. Two people sustained injuries, including the van’s owner. Authorities suspect the explosion involved gas canisters stored inside the vehicle.
The incident occurred at approximately 00:20 at the junction of Untamalantie and Tuhkanummentie. Residents in nearby homes reported hearing a loud bang followed by a second, stronger explosion.
The van, identified locally as a light-coloured Toyota Hiace, caught fire before the canisters detonated. The resulting blast sent large fragments of the vehicle flying tens of metres. Parts landed on nearby properties, over rooftops, and into back gardens.
Tuomas Lindholm, the Helsinki Police lead investigator, said the explosion’s origin remains unknown. “We are investigating whether a gas leak may have led to the fire and the subsequent detonation,” he told MTV News. “Gas canisters don’t explode easily. We are looking into why these did.”
Police confirmed that not all gas canisters inside the van exploded. Unused ones were later neutralised by emergency services. The area remained cordoned off through the morning while technical investigations continued.
The van was parked at the time of the explosion. The owner and a relative were near the vehicle and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. One of the injured was later discharged from hospital. Neither person was inside the van during the explosion.
By morning, the scene had attracted residents from surrounding areas, some from as far as two kilometres away. Witnesses reported smelling gas in the air and noted extensive damage, including charred vehicle remains, shattered windows, and scorched fragments strewn across the street.
Authorities received the first emergency call shortly before 00:30. The rescue operation involved multiple police and fire units. By 06:00, police had reduced the size of the cordoned area but continued to monitor the site.
Lindholm said no other injuries were reported. “The situation could have been worse,” he said. “Debris flew over houses. Fortunately, the street was empty.”
The investigation is led by the violent crimes unit, which handles cases involving public safety risks. “We are not ruling out the possibility of a crime,” Lindholm said. Police are asking the public for any information or footage related to the incident. Reports can be submitted via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or WhatsApp (046 922 4651).
The explosion was heard across several districts. According to multiple witnesses, the loudest of the three reported detonations echoed for kilometres.
Police confirmed there is no remaining risk of explosion in the area. Officers have requested that the public avoid unnecessary movement near the site to allow investigators to continue their work.
The vehicle involved was almost entirely destroyed in the explosion. Aerial and ground images taken on Monday morning showed a blackened mass of metal where the van once stood. No surrounding buildings caught fire, though several were damaged by the blast wave and flying debris.
HT
- Next Article Finnair still cancelling flights after safety issue grounds planes
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
