The West Finland Coast Guard has issued a serious warning regarding the safety of traveling on ice following prolonged cold weather, cautioning that weak ice and open water spots remain, particularly in areas like under bridges and near current spots in straits. The warning comes after several near-miss incidents over the weekend where vehicles fell through the ice, although no serious injuries were reported. This highlights the dangers of assuming ice is safe simply because others are seen walking on it.

On Sunday afternoon, a quad bike sank into the ice in Kalajoki, and on Saturday a car went through the ice in the archipelago of Luoto, with both instances leading to mild wetting of individuals rather than serious harm. The Coast Guard reiterated that the risk of severe accidents is always present, especially in such scenarios where property damage could be significant. Another incident in Hanko on the same Saturday saw four people escape from a car that also fell through the ice, but unfortunately, a dog could not be rescued.

The Coast Guard warned that conditions on the ice can change rapidly, and many outdoor enthusiasts often follow the tracks of others or mistakenly trust that ice is safe if others are nearby. This behavior is dangerous and potentially life-threatening, emphasizing the need for caution and awareness when engaging in activities on frozen surfaces during the winter months.