Sweden to Develop Plans for Mass Evacuation

Sweden needs to develop plans for mass evacuation to be used in the event of war. Geographical areas expected to be particularly vulnerable are now being identified.

» Updated: September 30 2024

» Published: July 18 2024

Sweden to Develop Plans for Mass Evacuation
Photo: Mickan Mörk/TT

Share this article

Sweden needs to develop plans for mass evacuation in the event of war.

Geographical areas expected to be particularly vulnerable will now be identified.

The government decided on Thursday to assign the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) to strengthen population protection in collaboration with county administrative boards.

The assignment includes identifying the geographical areas in Sweden that are expected to be particularly vulnerable to attack in the event of war.

The Swedish Armed Forces will assist in this work to get a better overall picture of the risk scenario for different parts of Sweden, says Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin (The Moderate Party).

The assignment also involves identifying which other counties a mass evacuation could be directed to and how people can be accommodated there.

"Has been missing"

According to Bohlin, there is currently not enough planning for how the population will be protected in the event of war.

This is a piece of the puzzle that has been missing, he says.

This is the first time such planning has been carried out since the end of the Cold War, according to the minister.

The assignment also includes reviewing not only the availability of shelters but also protected spaces.

For example, subway stations in the Stockholm area and tunnels, says Bohlin.

A mapping of so-called white spots will be carried out.

Since no shelters have been built in Sweden since 2002, it means that entirely new urban areas may have been developed without access to nearby shelters. In such cases, evacuation may become a more viable alternative.

Important for defence

The assignment is to be completed by the end of 2025.

This is a measure that is required if the security policy situation were to deteriorate further, says Bohlin.

There is no immediate war threat against Sweden.

The planning for how potential evacuations will be carried out will not be complete when the assignment has been completed. For example, municipalities will need to develop more detailed plans. Bohlin cannot say when Sweden's population protection will be good enough.

It's about continuously achieving a linear increase in Sweden's total defence capability.

The war in Ukraine has shown that good population protection is important for defence will and defence capability.

If you can get civilians out of dangerous areas, it reduces the burden on healthcare, for example, says Bohlin.

He also points out that access to protected spaces has been crucial for maintaining some kind of normality in areas affected by sporadic long-range attacks, such as Kiev.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Sweden Summons Russian Ambassador Over Attacks on Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Sweden Summons Russian Ambassador Over Attacks on Ukraine

Elderly Man Dies in Head-On Collision Near Åre
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man Dies in Head-On Collision Near Åre

Man in His 60s Charged with Sexual Offenses Against Uppsala Schoolgirls
2 MIN READ

Man in His 60s Charged with Sexual Offenses Against Uppsala Schoolgirls

NATO to Set Up Signal Company in Sweden's Enköping
1 MIN READ

NATO to Set Up Signal Company in Sweden's Enköping

Kiruna Faces Major Relocation as 6,000 Residents Must Move Due to Mining
2 MIN READ

Kiruna Faces Major Relocation as 6,000 Residents Must Move Due to Mining

Five Dead in Sundbyberg Elevator Crash; CEO and Fitters Charged
2 MIN READ

Five Dead in Sundbyberg Elevator Crash; CEO and Fitters Charged

Kiruna Residents Face Relocation as LKAB Expands Iron Ore Mine
2 MIN READ

Kiruna Residents Face Relocation as LKAB Expands Iron Ore Mine

Teenager Seriously Injured in Öland A-Traktor Accident
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Öland A-Traktor Accident

Christian Democrats Lead in Taxpayer-Funded Party Expenses
3 MIN READ

Christian Democrats Lead in Taxpayer-Funded Party Expenses

E4 Closed in Both Directions After Truck Accident Near Gävle
1 MIN READ

E4 Closed in Both Directions After Truck Accident Near Gävle

Värmdö Demands Action After Fatal Bridge Accident
2 MIN READ

Värmdö Demands Action After Fatal Bridge Accident

Unique Spiked Dinosaur Spicomellus Discovered in Africa
3 MIN READ

Unique Spiked Dinosaur Spicomellus Discovered in Africa

Housing Costs Threaten Participation at Climate Summit in Brazil
2 MIN READ

Housing Costs Threaten Participation at Climate Summit in Brazil

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Flemingsberg Shooting
1 MIN READ

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Flemingsberg Shooting

Chinese Goods Most Frequently Seized by EU Customs in 2024
1 MIN READ

Chinese Goods Most Frequently Seized by EU Customs in 2024

Harmful Boxwood Moth Spreading Rapidly Across Sweden
1 MIN READ

Harmful Boxwood Moth Spreading Rapidly Across Sweden

Man Found Dead in Kristinehamn Archipelago; Murder Investigation Launched
1 MIN READ

Man Found Dead in Kristinehamn Archipelago; Murder Investigation Launched

Shooting in Flemingsberg Leaves Two Men Injured
1 MIN READ

Shooting in Flemingsberg Leaves Two Men Injured

Scania Healthcare Workers Urge Sweden to Accept Gaza Patients
1 MIN READ

Scania Healthcare Workers Urge Sweden to Accept Gaza Patients

Person Released After Detention in Kallhäll Double Murder Case
1 MIN READ

Person Released After Detention in Kallhäll Double Murder Case