According to the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are currently at least 2,000 Finnish citizens present in crisis areas of the Middle East, including Iran, Qatar, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. Many of the travel notifications were received up until Saturday evening, with approximately 1,300 notifications for the UAE, around 300 for Qatar, 250 for Israel, and 70 for Iran. These figures indicate the level of Finnish presence in these countries, which are currently experiencing significant unrest.

Petra Sarias, a communication expert from the Ministry, highlighted that not everyone may complete a travel notification, and some may forget to cancel their notifications when they return. Therefore, the actual number of Finns in these areas could be higher than reported. The Ministry is encouraging citizens to complete their travel notifications to receive SMS updates and stay informed about the situation back home.

The increase in travel notifications received by the Ministry throughout the day reflects growing awareness among Finns about the risks associated with traveling to these crisis-hit countries. The Ministry’s advice underscores the importance of remaining informed and prepared amid rising tensions in the region, showcasing the need for continued monitoring and support for Finnish citizens abroad.