Earlier this summer, the runways at Kiruna Airport were renovated and the airport was then closed for two weeks.
In connection with that, a temporary asphalt plant was created at the airport and a few days ago some workers discovered that a reindeer had become stuck in the remains of the asphalt plant.
The workers reported the case to their employer and to Gabna Sami village, but the reindeer’s life could not be saved.
– It is of course very sad that a reindeer must be tormented for several days in a gravel pit covered with asphalt tar, says Lars-Marcus Kuhmunen, chairman of Gabna Samiby.
“Rarely think about the consequences”
The Sami village already tried to stop the work last spring when they received a request from the municipality if they had an opinion on the matter. But the views of the Sami village were not taken into account.
– We didn’t like that idea at all because 200 meters from here we have our moving route. The airport got new asphalt and certainly a great runway, but you rarely think about the consequences of actions, says Kuhmunen and continues:
– I see it as a big problem that you have to take our views into account to a greater extent when you implement large industrial projects. There is a lack of understanding of our activities in reindeer husbandry.
Swedavia: “Regrets what happened”
Ellen Laurin, deputy press manager at Swedavia who is responsible for Kiruna Airport, comments on the incident both verbally and in writing to SVT Sápmi.
“We are aware of the incident. What is happening now is that we are investigating the incident together with our subcontractor. We have taken measures and will take ongoing measures to prevent a similar incident from happening again. We of course regret what happened – it is a very sad event,” she writes.
It has not yet been decided how the Sami village will proceed.
– We will see how we proceed with this issue, we have not taken a position on it yet, concludes Lars-Marcus Kuhmunen.