Two powerful explosions rocked central Sweden overnight, causing injuries to at least three people and significant damage to buildings. These incidents occurred in different locations, with one in Hasselby, a suburb of Stockholm, on Monday night, and the other in Linkoping, approximately 175 kilometers (110 miles) to the southwest, during the early hours of Tuesday.
In Hasselby, the explosion caused damage to buildings, leaving bricks and window sections scattered outside. In Linkoping, the blast ripped the facade off a three-story building, resulting in debris strewn across a nearby parking area. It remains unclear whether the two explosions are related to each other.
As of this year, Sweden has witnessed 261 shootings, resulting in 36 fatalities and 73 injuries. No immediate arrests have been made in connection with the recent explosions.
In response to these incidents, the Swedish government has called for a meeting to discuss measures to combat gang violence promptly. This meeting will involve key figures, including the ministers for justice and civil defense, as well as representatives from municipalities and regions in Sweden.
Both ministers emphasized the need to cut off criminals’ access to explosive materials as part of their efforts to address the ongoing violence. As of September 15, there had been 124 explosions in Sweden this year, with the highest recorded number of explosions reaching 133 in 2019.
Earlier this month, a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot in the head near his home in the Stockholm area, an incident described as an alarming example of “gross and completely reckless gang violence” by a prosecutor.
On September 22, a shooting in a crowded bar northwest of Stockholm resulted in two deaths and two injuries. While one victim, a 20-year-old man, was likely the target, the motive for the attack remained unclear. Police suggested it could be related to a local personal conflict or an ongoing gang feud.
Sweden’s center-right government has been implementing stricter laws to combat gang-related crime, and the country’s police have reported an “unprecedented” wave of violence attributed to warring gangs.
