Walpurgis Night Sparks Surge in Emergency Calls

Listen to the article

During Walpurgis Night, one of the year's most tumultuous holidays, emergency call centers experience a significant surge in calls.

In 2023, SOS Alarm reported receiving 5,915 calls, a sharp increase from the average 4,305 calls on a typical night.

Notably, regions like Gotland saw call volumes spike by 125%, followed closely by Västmanland and Uppsala, which are known for their extensive celebrations.

Alongside a 50% increase in police-related calls, mainly concerning public disturbances and fires, there's also a 45% rise in non-emergency and prank calls.

This phenomenon is attributed to lowered inhibitions following the evening's festivities..