Finland’s interior ministry has announced that the country has completed an inventory of its bomb shelters, revealing a total of 50,500. This effort was prompted by concerns over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the previous year. Despite recently joining the NATO military alliance, Finland has been preparing for a potential conflict with Russia for many decades. This preparation includes the mandatory construction of emergency shelters beneath apartment blocks and office buildings, a policy implemented as early as the 1950s, explaining the high number of shelters today.
The government census has determined that these bomb shelters can accommodate up to 4.8 million inhabitants in case of an emergency or attack. Furthermore, the survey found that 91% of the shelters are sturdy enough to withstand conventional weaponry, while 83% are equipped to provide protection from gas and nuclear emergencies. However, some shelters have been found to have flaws preventing them from being ready for use within the required 72 hours, according to Ira Pasi, the project manager from the interior ministry.
These bomb shelters are well-equipped, featuring ventilators, sturdy doors, stackable beds, and dry closets, as mandated by a 2011 law. Surprisingly, during peacetime, certain underground shelters are even repurposed for uses such as swimming pools, sports centers, and even a Santa Claus theme park in the northernmost region of the country.
Maintenance of the shelters falls under the responsibility of building owners, and the government has called for proper upkeep. Pasi emphasized the importance of preserving Finland’s civil protection infrastructure, which has been valued in the billions of euros and built over several decades.
Reporting by Anne Kauranen, Editing by Nick Zieminski
Credit: The Star : News Feed
