Tragic Fall on Kebnekaise: Lack of Proper Training Leads to Fatal Accident

Two men who fell over 100 meters to their deaths on Kebnekaise last spring reportedly lacked the proper training. Now, their employer, the Swedish Tourist Association (STF), faces potential charges.

"Ever since the accident, we've asked ourselves, should we have said no?" says Secretary General Maria Ros Hjelm to Arbetet.

At the end of April, two men, both in their 30s, were found dead on Kebnekaise. They were employees of STF and had been on the mountain to retrieve ropes from the ski and climbing competition Keb Classic.

Both the Swedish Work Environment Authority (AMV) and the police launched investigations into the incident.

Fell Over 100 Meters

In early May, the preliminary investigation leader, prosecutor Christer B Jarlås at the National Unit for Environmental and Work Environment Cases, announced that they had a somewhat clearer picture of what had happened:

A fixture in the rock wall had come loose, causing the men to plummet over 100 meters.

"What has been seen is that they were connected by a rope between them, and the rope was attached to something in the rock wall that seems to have come loose in some way," Jarlås told NSD at the time.

Lacked Proper Training

Arbetet now reports that the two deceased men were experienced mountain guides but lacked the specialized competence of certified mountain guides. This has led AMV to criticize the employer. In an inspection notice, which Arbetet refers to, the authority writes that the men's task required knowledge equivalent to that of a mountain guide, listing a total of seven deficiencies that STF must now address.

The deficiencies include risk assessment and ensuring that employees and managers have the right knowledge.

STF's Response: "Asked Ourselves"

STF's Secretary General Maria Ros Hjelm tells Arbetet that STF is working "promptly" to address the deficiencies. She also emphasizes that the men were experienced guides and climbers.

"They themselves took the initiative for this task. Ever since the accident, we as an employer have asked ourselves, should we have said 'no, you can't'?" says Ros Hjelm to Arbetet.

Next, a lawyer at AMV will assess whether the deficiencies are so serious that they could lead to a criminal charge for work environment crime through causing another's death.

Prosecutor Christer B Jarlås is awaiting a decision from AMV before deciding on potential charges.