Published in: Helsingin Sanomat, 16th of July, 2004

 - GIRL DIES IN SUOMENLINNA, SECURITY MEASURES ARE BEING INSPECTED

- A WARNING SIGN WAS BROUGHT TO THE WALL IN KING'S GATE, AFTER THE LITTLE GIRL HAD FELL DOWN

- Walking into the wall near the King's Gate was prevented on Thursday afternoon with a temporary fences and a sign was attached to the wall, instructing visitors to be aware of the possible danger, of falling from the wall. The administrative committee of Suomenlinna took these precautions, after a seven year old girl had fallen from the wall on Wednesday and died from the 15 meter fall. According to the police, the fall was a accident and it is not being investigated other than for the cause of death. The girl died immediately from her injuries.

- The administrative committee is now thinking that should more care be taken to ensure that the fortification is a safe one to visit. For this point the idea has been, that people should understood themselves to not to go to the place which are dangerous. The dangers of the walls, caves and embankments are said in the leaflets of the island and also in the instruction signs, but not on the places which are dangerous. According to the museum office, there would be the need to make a complete risk analysis from the area. Guiding the paths which visitors can take, would be one option to ensure the safety of the people visiting the place. Preventing the access to the dangerous areas could be one option. The areas like the King's Gate could be fenced in a good manner, so that the historical value and appearance would not be affected. There's been a huge traffic on top of the King's Gate in recent years, so huge that an actual path has been formed. The grass and vegetation which is heavy near the wall might have affected of seeing where the wall ends. The grass and vegetation was made shorter on Thursday. In the afternoon, a lot of curious people were standing on the wall. At least few boys climbed on top, after they moved the fence away and peaked down from the wall. 

- The main problem is that the tourists has become a much more demanding in the recent years and they are not satisfied anymore with places and paths, which are marked in the official guide maps. The Suomenlinna area contains some 80 hectares and there's 6,5 kilometers of the walls still remaining. Fencing each and everyone of them, would be impossible. The fences also would not stop the children and youth. The fire department gets a few calls to the Suomenlinna every year, which concern falling accidents. Tens of people hurt themselves while falling down to the ground.

- Suomenlinna is also a very popular place for the youth, which party in the islands. Some of the accidents are due to the alcohol. Now and then someone also looses his life in Suomenlinna, but the accident that happened now, was a first child victim.