According to the Swedish Life Saving Society, 103 people drowned in Sweden in 2025, with 10 of those deaths occurring in connection with ice accidents, nine of which happened during the spring winter. The majority of those who died were men. Mikael Vestman, a leisure developer for Örnsköldsvik municipality, was at the ice edge by the hole during the event.
He described Örnsköldsvik as a water municipality with good opportunities for safe travel on both water and ice. During the week, the ice hole was visited by students from eleven schools in Örnsköldsvik, with a total of about 170 students on site for educational purposes, and some teachers also took on the challenge. According to SVT Mittnytt, Mikael Vestman noted that the event typically attracts regular participants, but the municipality aims to reach those who do not seek out such activities.
This was a different day at work.
He also emphasized that step one is equipment, pointing out that people often lack items like ice picks, which cost from 50 kronor. It was the first time SVT reporter Johanna Dyrén experienced getting out of an ice hole. According to SVT Mittnytt, Johanna Dyrén described it as a different day at work and said it feels like something you'll take with you later, providing security in knowing what to do if an accident occurs.
The specific ice safety techniques taught at the event and the number of residents who participated in the ice hole bathing have not been disclosed, nor have any injuries or incidents from this year's event been reported.
It feels like this is something you'll take with you later. When the accident is upon you, I know what to do, so that's a security in itself.