Missing Swimmer Found in Pyhäjärvi After Prolonged Search
A man who went missing while swimming in Pyhäjärvi, Kitee, was found alive after spending approximately 1.5 hours in the water. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the swimmer attempted a 1.3-kilometer route from the mainland toward Hätäsaari, a popular boating and hiking destination in the lake.
The North Karelia Rescue Department received an alert about the missing swimmer at 21:36, roughly half an hour after he began his swim (Iltalehti). Initial search efforts by a four-person boat crew were halted due to strong winds, prompting a broader rescue operation involving the Border Guard, police, and emergency medical services (Ilta-Sanomat; Iltalehti).
A Border Guard boat patrol located the swimmer approximately halfway along his intended route. He was transported to shore, where emergency medical services assessed his condition. The rescue department reported that the man was in good condition given the circumstances (Iltalehti).
In addition to locating the swimmer, the Border Guard retrieved the initial search crew, which had landed on nearby Havukkasaari (Iltalehti). Pyhäjärvi, where the incident took place, is situated on the border between Finland and Russia.
