The Swedish Work Environment Authority has decided to file a prosecution notice against the Swedish Tourist Association following the fatal accident on Kebnekaise in April. Two employees fell 100 meters while retrieving ropes after the ski alpinism competition Kebnekaise Classic.
The fatal accident occurred in April on Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain. It involved the sports chief and a mountain guide from the Kebnekaise mountain station who were working to remove ropes installed in Halspasset for participants in the Kebnekaise Classic competition. The attachment point in the rock wall where they were secured gave way for unknown reasons, causing the two individuals to fall 100 meters in the high alpine terrain.
The incident is under investigation by the police, the Swedish Work Environment Authority, and STF itself. A week ago, the authority decided to file the prosecution notice. "We have informed the police that we will submit such a notice in the near future so that the prosecutor is prepared for it," says Eva Hortell, division manager at the Swedish Work Environment Authority.
Prosecutor Christer B. Jarlås has been notified and is awaiting the notice. "Once it arrives, it will be a long process before I can decide on prosecution. I will review the material, conduct interviews with suspects and those involved, then disclose suspicions. This could be resolved no earlier than spring," Jarlås says. The process highlights the challenges in investigating workplace accidents in extreme environments.