'Several fatalities' after two helicopters collide in Finland: Police

Media reported that the helicopters had taken off from Estonia and were carrying businessmen, with three people in one and two in the other.

Several people died Saturday when two helicopters carrying a total of five collided mid-air in Finland and crashed to the ground, police said.

A fire department vehicle is seen near the crash site close to the Eura Airfield in Eura, Finland, on May 17, 2025. (via REUTERS)

"The accident has resulted in several fatalities. The exact number of victims and the identities of the passengers are still being determined," the police said in a statement.

Media reported that the helicopters had taken off from Estonia and were carrying businessmen, with three people in one and two in the other.

Reports said they collided west of the capital Helsinki around midday. Officials gave no indication of what caused the collision.

Finnish newspaper Iltalehti quoted a witness, Antti Marjanen, as saying they saw one of the helicopters hit the other during a manoeuvre.

"One of them dropped like a stone and the other one more slowly. I didn't hear any sound," Marjanen was quoted as saying.