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A remarkable story has gripped Finnish media this week: the near-simultaneous deaths of 91-year-old identical twins, Siiri Heiska and Maiju Ehrola. The sisters, born in Pattijoki, Raahe, died within four hours of each other-Heiska in Helsinki and Ehrola in Raahe, some 600 kilometers apart. Neither family was aware the other twin had been hospitalized, adding to the sense of mystery surrounding their passing.
Nina Heiska, Siiri’s daughter, told Ilta-Sanomat, “That such a strange case could happen maybe says that we don’t quite know everything about this world.” Epidemiology professor Jaakko Kaprio commented that while such events are rare, they do occur: “This is such a rare single case that we can’t draw any scientific conclusions. We have researched both identical and non-identical twins’ lifespans, and it’s a very small minority of them that die close together.” However, Finnish media recalled a similar incident in 2002, when two elderly twins died in separate road accidents in the same village where Heiska and Ehrola were born, fueling ongoing debate about the unique bond between twins.
Drug Costs: Finnish Concerns Over US Policy
Another major topic in Finnish papers is the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s recent vow to force pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices in America. According to the Finnish Pharmacists Association, such a move could have unintended consequences for Finland. Chair Risto Holma explained that if drug companies see reduced profits in the US, they may compensate by raising prices elsewhere, including Finland. Currently, many medications-such as cholesterol drugs-are much cheaper in Finland than in the US, where prices can be ten or even a hundred times higher. “The prices are dictated by the markets,” Holma noted, warning that the proposed US policy could reverse this trend and lead to higher drug costs for Finnish consumers.
Eurovision Frenzy Sweeps Finland
Eurovision fever is in full swing across Finland as the country gears up for the contest’s semi-finals. Although Finland’s official entry, Erika Vikman with the song “Ich Komme,” will not perform until the second semi-final on Thursday, excitement is already high. Much of the buzz is thanks to Sweden’s representative, the Finnish-Swedish comedy act KAJ, whose sauna-themed performance “Bara Bada Bastu” has captured the public’s imagination.
Helsingin Sanomat playfully poked fun at Swedish sauna customs, as described by KAJ, who claim Swedes eat snacks and read books in the sauna-habits that, according to Finnish tradition, create an inappropriately ‘spa-like’ atmosphere. Meanwhile, Iltalehti ran a column expressing embarrassment over the lack of support for Finland’s own entry amid the KAJ craze. The Eurovision semi-finals begin Tuesday at 10pm, with Finnish viewers able to tune in via Yle Areena.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on reports from Finnish media and official statements as of May 14, 2025. The story of the twin deaths is a rare event and, according to experts, does not provide evidence of a scientific link between twins’ lifespans. The analysis of drug pricing is based on current expert opinions and may change as international policies evolve. Eurovision coverage reflects the latest available information on Finland’s participation and public sentiment.
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