Participant killed in accident during boat race in Kotka

A participant was killed in a collision between two boats during a boat race in Kotka, a municipality in South-eastern Finland on Saturday, police said.

The accident took place at about 4:20 p.m. when one boat knocked down another boat from the behind during the Kotka Power Boat Race 2026 in Kymijoki river at Hovinsaari.

Driver of one of the boats, an adult man, sustained severe wounds in the collision and succumbed to his injuries on the spot.

Police, however, did not divulge the detail identity of the deceased.

The organisers suspended the race for Saturday, on the second day of the three-day competition following the death of the participant.

The Accident Investigation Board and police are investigating into the incident to find out the circumstances surrounding the accident and get more information in this regard.

Police, however, did not find any crime link to the incident.