A member of the Finnish Parliament committed suicide on the parliament’s premises in Helsinki early on Tuesday, according to local media. 

Finnish media report that the identity of the deceased individual is known, but the name will not be made public until the representative’s relatives have been contacted. Police have reported no criminal involvement in the death.

“A fatality has occurred this morning. Emergency medical services, rescue services and police authorities have been alerted to the scene via the emergency response centre,” the parliament’s security director, Aaro Toivonen, told Finnish boulevard paper Iltalehti. He confirmed that the incident took place in the parliament building.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called the reports “truly sad news”.

“At the same time, we wish strength to his family, loved ones and colleagues. This touches all of us deeply,” Orpo said according to public service media Yle.

Orpo stated that his National Coalition Party will suspend political activities during its ongoing summer meet due to the incident.

The Finnish parliament is currently in summer recess, with sessions planned to resume in early September.

(vib)