| 2002 Vantaa bombing | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Location | Vantaa, Finland |
| Date | October 11, 2002 |
| Attack type | bombing |
| Death(s) | 7 (including the perpetrator) |
| Injured | 166 |
| Perpetrator(s) | Petri Erkki Tapio Gerdt |
The Myyrmanni bombing took place on October 11, 2002 in the Myyrmäki, Vantaa, Finland, in Greater Helsinki, in the local Myyrmanni shopping mall. The bomb killed seven, including two teenagers, a 7-year-old child and the bomber. 166 people were injured, including 10 children. Sixty-six victims required hospitalization with the remainder treated and released at the scene.[1] The shopping center was especially crowded, with almost 2000 people, including many children who had come to see a clown performance.
The presumed perpetrator was Petri Erkki Tapio Gerdt (April 17, 1983 - October 11, 2002), a 19-year-old chemical engineering student from EVTEK (Espoo-Vantaa Institute of Technology) and a hobbyist bomb-maker. The explosive device was presumably constructed in his apartment, weighed about 2-3 kilograms and consisted of ammonium nitrate and nitromethane with shotgun pellets.[1] The presumed motive is unclear but it is suspected that the bomb exploded prematurely and by accident. According to the police, the use of pellets to increase lethality hints that Gerdt's intention might have been to leave the bomb in the mall and remotely detonate it after leaving. Petri's father, Armas Gerdt, noted that Gerdt used to detonate his home-made explosives in the woods nearby and suspects that he was transporting the bomb to be set off elsewhere.[2] The possibility of Gerdt having links to any radical groups or terrorist organizations has been ruled out.
Armas Gerdt has also written the book Petrin matka Myyrmanniin, "Petri's Path to Myyrmanni", about the incident. The moderator of Kotikemia was acquitted of responsibility in court. The bombing was especially shocking for Finland and the other Nordic countries, where bombings are extremely rare. The shopping centre was closed for nearly three weeks before re-opening later in October.[3] Flags were ordered flown at half staff throughout Finland.
References
- ^ a b Torkki, Markus; Virve Koljonen, Kirsi Sillanpää1, Erkki Tukiainen, Sari Pyörälä, Esko Kemppainen, Juha Kalske, Eero Arajärvi, Ulla Keränen, Eero Hirvensalo (August 2006). "Triage in a Bomb Disaster with 166 Casualties". European Journal of Trauma 32 (4): 374–80. doi:.
- ^ Räty, Panu (10, 2004). "Poikani Petri Gerdt". the Helsingin Sanomat monthly supplement. http://www2.hs.fi/extrat/kuukausiliite/arkisto/2004/10_2/.
- ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-93606868.html
External links
- Explosion at Myyrmanni, Juha Haataja's eyewitness account
- Petrin matka Myyrmanniin, Suomalainen.com bookstore
- Myyrmäen pommi-isku, news video clips at YLE's historical archives
- Helsinki bomb tragedy points to social tensions in Finland
- 'Terrorist attack' in Helsinki, Finland
Coordinates: 60°15′36.5″N 24°51′12″E / 60.260139°N 24.85333°E
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