Several people stabbed at shopping centre in Finland

Multiple people have been stabbed near a shopping centre in southern Finland.

Witnesses described screaming when the violent attack took place in Tampere, the country’s third largest city, on Thursday afternoon.

It was not immediately clear how many people were injured in the attack but police said the situation no longer posed a danger to others. Victims were given first aid at the scene.

A man in his 20s has been arrested following the incident, Ilta-Sanomat reports.

open image in gallery

Police were called to the shopping centre at 4.23pm local time, newspaper Iltalehti reported.

An eyewitness told that news outlet said that people started shouting about stabbings and ran away from the shopping centre. The person said families and children were in the area.

“I heard the woman scream that she had been stabbed. So everyone started shouting about stabbing. I didn't really have time to react because I was in such shock,” the eyewitness said.

The Ratina shopping centre manager Mervi Ahola told Iltalehti she had been informed about the incident and police were in control.

“It’s an unfortunate incident,” she said.

Other eyewitnesses told Ilta-Sanomat they saw a man running who then went down on the ground without resistance when police told him to do so.

open image in gallery

Video by Yle showed a heavy police presence and ambulances in front of a cordoned-off shopping centre, while images showed blood stains on the pavement outside the centre.

Daily Finnish paper Aamulehti reported that police blocked all doors of the Ratine shopping centre and people were not allowed to enter or leave.

Witnesses of the attack were taken to the second floor of the shopping centre for questioning.

Yle also reported that employees from the social and crisis emergency services had arrived to attend to victims and bystanders.