On Saturday around noon, a personal car sank into the ice near Hanko, Finland, after traveling several kilometers onto the frozen surface in the vicinity of Hanko's East Harbor. Of the four individuals in the vehicle, three managed to escape through a window immediately, while the fourth person was trapped inside for a couple of minutes before also managing to get out onto the ice. The situation underscores the dangers associated with venturing onto ice-covered bodies of water without confirming the safety of the ice beneath.

Saku Komujärvi, the general commander of the Gulf of Finland's Coast Guard, remarked on the current ice situation, describing it as 'deceptively good'. He explained that while ice might support the weight of a passenger car in many areas, there are also spots, particularly near currents, where the ice may be unexpectedly thin, posing significant risks. He could not comment on whether the specific ice conditions around Hanko were influenced by any currents.

Tragically, a dog that was also in the car could not be rescued and remains submerged with the vehicle. Emergency services, including a helicopter and teams from Lappohja and Hanko Coast Guard stations, were called to the scene to assist in the rescue operations and evaluate the conditions, which raises broader concerns about safety measures and awareness regarding winter activities in Finland.