In late April 2025, two employees of the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) died in a workplace accident at Halspasset on Kebnekaise, according to major media reports. The pair fell about 100 meters when a rope attachment gave way during work to retrieve ropes after the Kebnekaise Classic event.
Major media reports indicate that STF was criticized for lacking procedures and safety, and the case was resolved by a prosecutor without a court trial. STF accepted a corporate fine of 2,500,000 SEK for workplace safety violations after the prosecutor determined that STF was guilty of workplace crime through causing death. In a statement, Maria Ros Hjelm, Secretary General of STF, acknowledged the employer's responsibility and admitted deficiencies in their systematic workplace safety work, leading to their acceptance of the fine. The case highlighted serious lapses in STF's safety protocols for high-risk mountain work.
As an employer, we have the responsibility for our employees and for the work performed. The preliminary investigation shows that there have been deficiencies in our systematic workplace safety work, and therefore we accept the corporate fine.
According to major media, the prosecutor found deficiencies in risk assessment, instructions, and ensuring correct competence for the task. The exact reasons why proper risk assessments and instructions were not in place before the accident remain unclear. The specific nature of the work being performed at the time has not been fully detailed, and it is unknown whether there were any witnesses to the fall. The prosecutor's findings pointed to a lack of proper safety planning for the specific task, according to major media.
After the accident, measures were taken including stopping similar tasks, reviewing systematic workplace safety, and implementing new procedures, major media reported. In November 2025, the Swedish Work Environment Authority assessed that the measures taken by STF were sufficient. STF indicated that it had also increased safety training and regular equipment checks as part of its ongoing commitment.
We wish we had an answer. In the preliminary investigation, it becomes clear that no one can say exactly what happened. Therefore, we cannot comment on details about the course of events out of respect for all those who have been affected in various ways by what happened.
STF has conducted an internal investigation but cannot explain exactly what happened, according to major media. According to SVT Nyheter, Maria Ros Hjelm described that no one can say exactly what happened, and the organisation refrains from commenting on details out of respect for those affected. She also expressed that the incident at Halspasset remains deeply tragic and that their thoughts continue to be with the relatives and colleagues. STF has systematically worked to strengthen safety to avoid similar incidents, major media reported. The organisation has also conducted internal reviews to ensure such lapses do not recur, though the exact cause remains undetermined. The long-term implications for STF's operations and events like Kebnekaise Classic are not yet known.
What happened at Halspasset is deeply tragic and still affects us. Our thoughts continue to be with the relatives and with the colleagues who have been touched in various ways by what happened.