Finland’s Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen will be off work for the rest of the week after suffering bruising to her chest and abdomen in a car crash. She was travelling to the Vaalimaa border crossing point on Monday in her official car when it collided with another vehicle.
Police are investigating the incident as a possible case of dangerous driving. Both Räsänen’s vehicle and the oncoming Fiat suspected of causing the crash were badly damaged.
Road conditions were poor in the area, with ice making surfaces slippery. Police say alcohol has been ruled out as a possible cause.
Christian Democrat leader Räsänen was first treated in Kotka, in south-east Finland, before she was transferred to Töölö hospital in Helsinki. She was kept in overnight for observation, but went home on Tuesday. Her office said in a statement that she was not suffering serious or permanent injuries.
The minister said in a statement that she would try to work at home as much as possible, and hopes to return to her workplace as soon as possible. She also thanked her driver and the emergency services for their work during and after the accident.