"Other than cold, bad weather, we have few ways of cutting down on the deaths."

More and more young people are making a habit of driving around in large groups with crates of beer in the car, and everyone drinks it

Highway police spokesman

The midsummer weekend not only marks the pagan festival of the summer solstice - when the arctic sun does not set - but also signals the start of many people' summer holidays.

Many Finns drive to secluded lakeside cabins or forest retreats and hold bonfire parties by the light of the "midnight sun". The aim is often to get as drunk as possible.

Police say most of the 28 victims drowned, but others died in accidents, and three were killed in violence.

They fear the number of deaths could rise as reports come in from remote areas.

Campaigns against drunken boating have largely failed

Police say they are also alarmed at the number of young people drinking and driving.

Dozens were stopped over the weekend.

"More and more young people are making a habit of driving around in large groups with crates of beer in the car, " said Sergeant Erkki Rask of the Highway Police Department.

The Finns are not alone in having a problem with binge drinking.

Restrictive

Many northern European peoples have similar habits, going for days or even weeks with no alcohol and then drinking to excess. The area has the nickname of the Vodka Belt in some circles.

Drinking patterns in the north differ strikingly from those in southern European nations, where regular drinking is a part of life and public drunkenness is rare.

Governments have tried to curb the problem through heavily restrictive policies on alcohol, but observers say that can simply add to the lure of alcohol, and increase the popularity of binge drinking.

Campaigns to dissuade drinkers from driving, swimming or boating have also had little effect.