Bullet injured conscript succumbs to wound

The conscript, who sustained bullet wound during an exercise at the Kainuu Brigade on Thursday morning, succumbed to the wound, said Finnish Defence Forces in a press release on Friday.

The conscript died at the Kuopio University Hospital on Thursday afternoon where he was shifted from Kainuu Central Hospital after sustaining bullet wound at the head from an assault rifle at Hoikanporti shooting range, said Police and the Defence forces.

Earlier, he was given first aid on the spot immediately after the accident and taken to Kainuu Central Hospital.

Police said that 27 conscripts were practicing assault rifle shooting under the guidance of a staff trainer at the shooting range and the accident took place just before beginning of the exercise when the conscript's rifle fired due to an unknown reason.

The authority also informed the family of the conscript about the incident.

The Police are investigating into the accident to find out detail information in this regard.

According to the preliminary information, the shooting was organized in accordance with the instructions and regulations as usually.

The police carried out a technical investigation on the spot and talked to the eye accounts. Members of the law enforcing agencies did not suspect any crime link to the incident.

The assault rifle will be sent for technical examinations to know the technical condition of the weapon, said police.

The Defence Forces decided to hoist the national flag half-mast at all of the defence units on Friday to mourn the death of the conscript.

Meanwhile, President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin expressed profound shock at the death of the conscript.

In their twitter posts the President and the Prime Minister also expressed empathy to the bereaved family members of the deceased.