Finland marks minute of silence for stabbing victims

HELSINKI: Finland observed a minute of silence on Sunday for the victims of a stabbing attack in the city of Turku that left two people dead and eight injured, reports AFP.

Friday's stabbing is being investigated as the country's first terror attack.

At Turku's market square, where the attack happened, several hundred people gathered to hold a minute of silence at 10:00 am (0700 GMT).

Candles and flowers lay on the square, with city officials, rescue crews in uniform, police officers and the public forming a ring around the makeshift memorial.

Archbishop Kari Makinen, the head of Finland's Evangelical Lutheran Church, was also present.

A note posted next to a bouquet of flowers read "Peace and Love - No Violence Finland".

Bells from the Turku Cathedral, the country's largest church, rang for 15 minutes before falling quiet for the minute of silence.

One of those injured in the attack, Hassan Zubier -- a British paramedic visiting Turku who came to the aid of a woman who later died -- attended the ceremony in a wheelchair, arriving directly from the hospital.

"I wanted to show my respect to the victims," he told Swedish daily Aftonbladet before returning to hospital for further treatment.

Similar ceremonies were held across the country.

Finnish police said Saturday that an 18-year-old Moroccan asylum seeker deliberately targeted women in the attack.

His motive was not yet known.

 

Finland marks minute of silence for stabbing victims

HELSINKI: Finland observed a minute of silence on Sunday for the victims of a stabbing attack in the city of Turku that left two people dead and eight injured, reports AFP. Fridays stabbing is being investigated as the countrys first terror attack. At Turkus market square, where the attack happened, several hundred people gathered to hold a minute of silence at 10:00 am (0700 GMT). Candles and flowers lay on the square, with city officials, rescue crews in uniform, police officers and the public forming a ring around the makeshift memorial. Archbishop Kari Makinen, the head of Finlands Evangelical Lutheran Church, was also present. A note posted next to a bouquet of flowers read Peace and Love - No Violence Finland. Bells from the Turku Cathedral, the countrys largest church, rang for 15 minutes before falling quiet for the minute of silence. One of those injured in the attack, Hassan Zubier -- a British paramedic visiting Turku who came to the aid of a woman who later died -- attended the ceremony in a wheelchair, arriving directly from the hospital. I wanted to show my respect to the victims, he told Swedish daily Aftonbladet before returning to hospital for further treatment. Similar ceremonies were held across the country. Finnish police said Saturday that an 18-year-old Moroccan asylum seeker deliberately targeted women in the attack. His motive was not yet known.