Finland raises estimate of number of asylum seekers to 30,000

The latest estimate made by the Finnish Ministry of Interior suggested that the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland this year could reach 30,000.

The previous prediction by the Finnish Immigration Service two weeks ago was 15,000.

The ministry's estimate made on Friday doubled the number, which already broke the historical record made in 2009, when Finland accepted 5,988 asylum seekers.

The main reason behind the high figure is the escalating crises in North Africa and the Middle East. Currently, the number of asylum seekers is growing throughout Europe.

To respond to the escalating situation, the Finnish Minister of Interior Petteri Orpo has assembled a special expert group to manage the rising number of asylum seekers, Orpo said in a statement issued by the ministry on Friday.

The group, which is comprised of experts from the Finnish Immigration Service, the National Police Board, the Border Guard and the Security Intelligence Police, is responsible for making decisions on necessary measures, adjusting arrangements for managing the situation in possible extreme circumstances.

The Finnish Immigration Service has already hired 70 and the Finnish Police 50 additional employees in August, in order to deal with the increase in asylum applications.

The Immigration Service has worked together with local authorities and the Finnish Red Cross to open more reception centers for accommodating more asylum seekers.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto told Finnish media earlier on Friday that the key to resolve the refugee crisis in Europe is to end the civil war in Syria. Endit