Police are investigating whether parents could be suspected of possible abandonment in the three separate near-drowning beach incidents that occurred in Espoo.

"Criminal reports for suspected abandonment have been filed for all three cases," said Detective Inspector Maria Hietajärvi from the Western Uusimaa Police Department, who is leading the investigation.

According to Hietajärvi, each case will also result in a child welfare notification.

On Tuesday, three very serious near-drowning incidents occurred at three different beaches in Espoo. All three children survived thanks to the help of bystanders.

At Laaksolahti beach, two women rescued an unconscious five-year-old and performed resuscitation. At Kivenlahti beach, a bystander pulled a six-year-old from the water after finding the child floating face down. Another bystander managed to revive the child.

At the Leppävaara outdoor pool, a four-year-old was found in the water by another child, who pulled them out, while an adult helped until rescue services arrived.

Investigation likely to take time

One of the families involved has yet to be reached, as they had left the beach before the police patrol arrived.

"We don't have their identities, which makes this a bit challenging," said Detective Inspector Hietajärvi.

On Wednesday, police investigators visited all three beaches to take photos and assess the conditions. Authorities are currently locating families and interviewing witnesses and rescuers to determine if there is sufficient cause to suspect the guardians of abandoning their kids.

The investigation is expected to take time, as many officers are on vacation in July.

Hietajärvi added that the process will likely take weeks, possibly even months, because cases involving children require special procedures.

If a guardian is suspected of a crime against their child, the police must request the district court to appoint a legal representative for the child, as children cannot speak for themselves in such cases.

Espoo pool limits visitor hours

The City of Espoo has announced new restrictions at the Leppävaara outdoor swimming pool for safety reasons.

Starting Thursday, visits will be limited to three hours to reduce crowding, according to Martti Merra, Sports Director at Espoo's Sports and Exercise Unit.

"There are huge numbers of people swimming there. We simply can't guarantee safety, so we have to tighten the rules," Merra said.

Merra said ticket sales at the Leppävaara pool may also be suspended in the future if safety cannot be ensured. The decisions will be based on an assessment by those responsible for pool supervision.

After a chilly early summer and the start of the holiday season, residents have been flocking to swimming spots in Espoo. Merra said the city's beaches are also full of families, but no limits will be set there — he emphasised that parents must take responsibility for their children's safety.

"We have no way to limit the number of visitors at public beaches, but at the outdoor pool we can — and for safety reasons, we have to," he said.

According to Merra, a record 3,500 people visited the Leppävaara outdoor pool and swimming hall on Tuesday when the incident occurred.

Several dangerous incidents were also reported at Turku's outdoor pools on Tuesday.