Frequently Asked Questions
When an accident or incident affects you or someone close to you, many questions naturally arise. On this page, you may find answers to some of the most common questions asked from the Safety Investigation Authority.
The role of the Safety Investigation Authority of Finland (SIAF) within this multi‑stakeholder framework is to provide information about the safety investigation and its progress.
In particular, information on the progress of the investigation must be provided to those who have suffered harm, the relatives of those who have lost their lives, the authorities involved in rescue operations, and others who may otherwise be affected by the accident.
A victim’s next of kin includes the victim’s spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, parent, grandparent, and any other person who was particularly close to the victim.
In the event of a death abroad, a Finnish diplomatic mission can assist family members with matters related to the burial, cremation, and repatriation of the deceased. For more information, visit the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ website https://um.fi/death-abroad
Similarly, in the event of accidents involving foreign nationals in Finland, foreign diplomatic missions in Finland assist with the tasks mentioned above.
If your loved one has been the victim of an accident abroad that is being investigated by SIAF’s sister agency abroad, that agency is usually in contact with SIAF about their investigation. In civil aviation and maritime transport, SIAF has the option of appointing an expert to the investigation who can provide the family with information on the progress of the investigation. Within the European Union, in rail transport, SIAF’s sister agency may, if it so wishes, request that SIAF participate in the investigation. If such a request is made, SIAF is obligated to assist.
If SIAF is investigating an accident in Finland involving foreign nationals or individuals permanently residing abroad, SIAF will contact the next of kin either through a sister agency or directly.
In Finland, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is responsible for identifying victims. The police deliver the notification of death.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): https://www.icao.int/safety/AIG/family-information
European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC): https://www.ecac-ceac.org/news/ecac-icao-eur-nat-workshop-strengthens-family-assistance-for-air-accident-victims-and-their-families