Teachers Protect Students in Finland Shooting, No Phone Calls Allowed

Photo : AFP

Teachers at the school in Vantaa, Finland, swiftly took action to protect their students following a shooting incident on Tuesday morning, according to accounts from pupils and parents. Over 100 concerned parents anxiously waited outside the school for more than three hours before authorities deemed it safe to release the children. As relieved parents greeted their children with hugs, some students were visibly shaken, with tears of relief in their eyes.

Samuela Anno, a 35-year-old parent, rushed to the school upon receiving a message from her 9-year-old son at around 9:30 AM, reassuring her of his safety. However, Anno initially failed to grasp the severity of the situation. It was only later, when alerted by a friend, that she learned about the shooting incident.

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Another parent, Tanja Hietamies, described the agonizing wait for confirmation of her daughter's safety, with an hour passing before her daughter could convey a message indicating she was unharmed. Hietamies revealed that her daughter, along with other students, was confined to a dark, locked classroom and prohibited from making phone calls, though messaging was permitted.

Additionally, one mother, whose Russian-speaking 5th-grade son had experienced bullying at the school, expressed concerns about his safety even prior to the shooting. The son had previously confided in his mother about his fear of a potential school shooting, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by students dealing with bullying and safety concerns within the educational environment.