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Jukola Relay prepares for drone threat
🇫🇮 Finland /Disasters & Emergencies

Jukola Relay prepares for drone threat

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Jukola Relay orienteering event is preparing for a potential drone threat as part of its security plan.
  • Organizers have consulted with police and included drone threat information in competitor guidelines.
  • The event anticipates up to 40,000 participants and spectators, with contingency plans in place for potential disruptions.

Organizers of the upcoming Jukola Relay orienteering event are taking drone threats seriously, incorporating measures to address potential disruptions into their security planning.

the matter has been taken into account in the event's security plan.

— Ari KukkonenConfirming that the drone threat is part of the security planning for the Jukola Relay.

The large-scale event, scheduled to take place at the Kymi Airport area in Kotka, is expected to draw as many as 40,000 people, including approximately 20,000 competitors. Competition director Ari Kukkonen confirmed to Yle that the drone threat has been addressed in the event's security plan and discussed with local police.

Competitors will receive specific instructions regarding the potential drone issue. Kukkonen stated that the organizing team, with police assistance, is prepared to halt the competition and evacuate the area if necessary. This heightened security awareness follows recent incidents in Southeastern Finland where unregistered drones violated Finnish airspace and crashed.

the possibility of a drone threat has been discussed with the police and taken into account in the instructions given to competitors.

— Ari KukkonenDetailing the steps taken to address the drone threat.

The Jukola Relay, a roughly 24-hour team orienteering competition, is a significant event in Finland, marking its 77th iteration this year. The preparations underscore a broader regional concern about airspace security, with air force exercises focused on drone defense also conducted in the area.

the organization, with the help of the police, is prepared to interrupt the competition and evacuate the area if necessary.

— Ari KukkonenExplaining the contingency plans for security disruptions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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