At least 4 reported killed in Finland train crash

Several people were killed when a train and an armored military personnel carrier collided in southern Finland on Thursday morning.

The Helsingin Sanomat newspaper put the toll at four initially, quoting hospital sources. Finnish defense forces confirmed the fatalities but could not specify the number.

Earlier, local media said there were 11 casualties.

The accident took place near the town of Tammisaari, 100 km west of Helsinki, at a level crossing where a railway line crosses the road. The passenger train was commuting between Karjaa and port town Hanko.

The military vehicle involved was a Finnish-made carrier commonly used for transporting soldiers. There is a major military base at Dragsvik near Tammisaari.

Finland witnessed the first snow of autumn Thursday morning, which caused traffic problems.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)