IFJ and partners saddened by Swedish journalist's death in Copenhagen

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 August 2017

The death of freelance journalist Kim Wall has been confirmed in Copenhagen, prompting condolences from the International Federation of Journalists and European Federation of Journalists. Wall went missing after a trip on a submarine, and her torso was discovered on a Danish beach.

Summary

BRUSSELS - The International and European Federations of Journalists (EFJ/IFJ) have joined their Swedish affiliate – Swedish Journalists’ Union (SUJ) in expressing their sadness following the confirmation of freelance Swedish journalist Kim Wall’s death which occurred in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"It is with sadness and dismay that we received the confirmation of our colleague's death. Our thoughts are with Kim Wall's family," said Jonas Nordling, president of the Swedish Union of Journalists (SUJ).

EFJ President Mogens Blicher Bjerregård also sent to the Swedish Union of Journalists and Kim Wall's family his deepest sympathy after the confirmation this morning from the Danish police that the torso found on Amager beach in Denmark was identified as hers.

Kim Wall, 30, was reported missing on August 10, after she failed to return from a trip aboard a civilian submarine, the Nautilus, with its inventor Peter Madsen.

Wall was researching a feature about Madsen and his hobby vessel, which he built in 2008 from crowdfunding. Ms. Wall, a graduate from Columbia University’s school of journalism, had worked for many news organizations including the Guardian, the New York Times and the South China Morning Post. Mr. Madsen was arrested in connection with her disappearance and, after initially claiming he had dropped her safely near Copenhagen, later reportedly told investigators that she had died in an accident and he had buried her at sea.

Investigators told reporters that Ms. Wall’s torso had been weighted down with metal and mutilated in what appeared to be an attempt to ensure that decomposition gases passed out the body so as to stop it from floating.

The IFJ and EFJ are waiting for the full investigation of the Danish police to be completed in order to shed light on circumstances surrounding Kim Wall's death. – IFJ media release/Image: tripsavvy.

KEY POINTS:

• Kim Wall, a 30-year-old journalist, went missing on August 10.
• Her torso was identified by Danish police, confirming her death.
• The IFJ and EFJ are awaiting results from the ongoing investigation.
• Wall had reported for major news organizations, including the Guardian.
• Peter Madsen, the submarine inventor, has been arrested in connection with her disappearance.