Suspected Threat Disrupts Gotlandsfärjan Ferry Service
A bomb threat led to the cancellation of the Gotlandsfärjan ferry service, impacting 900 passengers.
- • The ferry service was canceled due to a suspected bomb threat.
- • Around 900 passengers were affected by the cancellation.
- • Police assessed the threat as unserious and did not perform a bomb search.
- • Charges for serious unlawful threats may be filed.
Key details
On September 19, 2025, the Gotlandsfärjan ferry service from Oskarshamn to Visby was canceled due to a suspected bomb threat. Approximately 900 passengers were affected by this disruption, which was officially attributed to 'technical problems' by the ferry company, Destination Gotland. However, authorities revealed that the cancellation stemmed from a serious incident involving a note found by the ferry staff, raising concerns of a potential bomb threat.
The police quickly made a response, dispatching patrols to conduct interviews with the ferry's crew as part of their ongoing investigation. Police spokesperson Patric Fors stated that as of the latest update, the nature of the threat had not been confirmed nor had any evidence been discovered on board the vessel. Despite the seriousness of the situation, fellow police spokesperson Thomas Söderberg later assessed the threat to be unsubstantiated, leading to the decision not to conduct a bomb search on the vessel. No individuals have been arrested, although charges for serious unlawful threats may be pursued.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between public safety and operational responses in transport services, evidenced by the swift cancellation of the ferry service and the responses from law enforcement agencies. The investigation remains active as authorities gather further evidence to determine the origin of the threat.