Three women dead in shooting in south-east Finland

Three women were killed in a shooting overnight Sunday outside a restaurant in south-east Finland, police said, adding that a male suspect has been arrested.

Police said Sunday the 23-year-old suspect and the three victims were from the town of Imatra where the incident took place.

The man had not been questioned as of Sunday morning, and the motive for the shooting was not known, a police statement said.

The shooting took place around midnight in the centre of Imatra, which is located near the Russian border.

A police patrol that was in the vicinity responded quickly to reports of a shooting. People at the scene identified the suspect, who did not resist arrest.

The victims were shot in the head and torso, police said. The weapon was believed to be a rifle.

Police said a news conference was scheduled for later Sunday.

Local health authorities have opened a crisis centre.

A reporter from public broadcaster YLE who was at the scene in the early hours of Sunday reported seeing three bodies covered in sheets.

The restaurant is located in a pedestrian zone in the centre of the town.

After police lifted the cordons, a few candles were placed outside the restaurant. Some blood stains were also visible in the snow.