Just two weeks ago officials from the Finnish Immigration Service estimated that the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland could reach 15,000 this year.

On Friday the Interior Ministry dashed those figures, saying that according to its projections, the number could approach 25,000 or 30,000.

Interior Minister Petteri Orpo said in a statement that he has put together a special unit headed by various experts as a result of the developing situation.

Special group to monitor developing situation

The group’s mandate will be to maintain an up-to-date picture of all new arrivals, decide on necessary measures and to adjust arrangements for managing the situation in extreme circumstances.

The team will be lead by the Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary and will include representatives from the Finnish Immigration Service, the National Police Board, the Border Guard and the Security Intelligence Police Supo. Representatives of the Foreign Ministry will also be on board.

The decision to establish a special team was the direct result of the growing tide of people entering the country seeking refuge, the statement said.

During this week alone many asylum seekers reportedly entered the country via the northern city of Tornio, which borders Sweden, where up to 300 people have allegedly crossed the border every day.

According to ministry officials, at the current rate the number of asylum seekers could reach between 25,000 and 30,000 by the end of the year.

Sources Yle h/t: Fjordman