Target Shopping mall Date 11 October 2002 Attack type Suicide attack | Non-fatal injuries 166 Location Vantaa, Finland | |
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Total number of deaths 7 (including the perpetrator) | ||
The Myyrmanni bombing took place on October 11, 2002, in Myyrmäki, Vantaa, Finland, in Greater Helsinki, at the Myyrmanni shopping mall. A bomb detonated by Petri Gerdt exploded at 19:36 killing five immediately, including the bomber. In total seven died, including two teenagers and a 7-year-old. 166 people were injured, including 10 children. 66 victims required hospitalization with the remainder treated and released at the scene. The shopping center was especially crowded, with 1,000–2,000 people, including many children who had come to see a clown performance.
The perpetrator was Petri Erkki Tapio Gerdt (April 17, 1983 - October 11, 2002), who was killed in the explosion. He was a 19-year-old chemical engineering student at EVTEK (Espoo-Vantaa Institute of Technology) and a hobbyist bomb-maker. Gerdt had no prior criminal record. He was also an active member of Kotikemia ("Home chemistry"), an on-line forum for amateur chemists. The moderator of Kotikemia was acquitted of responsibility in court.
The explosive device was likely constructed in his apartment. It weighed about 2–3 kilograms (4.4–6.6 lb) and was made of ammonium nitrate and nitromethane with shotgun shells and nails. The motive for the bombing is unknown, but it is suspected that the bomb exploded prematurely. According to the police, the use of pellets to increase lethality hints that Gerdt's intention might have been to leave the bomb in the mall and detonate it remotely after leaving. Petri Gerdt's father, Armas, noted that his son used to detonate his home-made explosives in the woods nearby and suspected that he was transporting the bomb to be set off elsewhere. The possibility of Gerdt having links to any radical groups or terrorist organizations has been ruled out.
The bombing was especially shocking for Finland and the other Nordic countries, where bombings are extremely rare.
On October 15, 2002 a national day of mourning was held throughout Finland. Some government buildings were closed, a moments silence was held in the Parliament and flags ordered flown at half staff. The shopping center was closed for nearly three weeks before re-opening later in October.
Armas Gerdt wrote the book Petrin matka Myyrmanniin ("Petri's Road to Myyrmanni") about the incident.