A 12-year-old girl died in the Myyrmäki area of Vantaa on Wednesday evening following a collision between a car and an electric scooter.
According to a report by the Iltalehti newspaper, three 12-year-olds were riding on the same scooter when it was hit by a Mercedes-Benz car at about 8:15pm.
One child received serious injuries as a result of the crash, and later died in hospital.
Said Mohammed, a representative of the Eastern Vantaa Somali cultural association, confirmed to Yle that the girls are from the local Somali community, all from different families.
He said that the community would likely begin a three-day period of mourning for the victim.
The two other children on the scooter at the time suffered minor injuries, according to a police statement released on Thursday morning.
"I am very cautious when commenting on children's health information, but it seems that we are fortunate to have avoided more deaths," Detective Inspector Asko Sartanen said.
Sartanen added that police suspect the driver of the car of aggravated endangerment of road safety as well as negligent homicide, but he noted that the charges may change as the investigation progresses.
Police will provide more information once a preliminary investigation has been conducted, and added in the statement that extra care and sensitivity is required in this case due to its seriousness and the fact it involves children.
Mohammed said the girls were probably either on their way to or from a nearby playground.
"This has deeply touched us. We are shocked; it is difficult to deal with," said Mohammed.
6:55pm: Added details about the children.
