“Scandinavian Star” caught fire on the night of 7 April 1990 en route from Oslo to Frederikshavn.
482 crew members and passengers were on board the ferry. 158 of them lost their lives in the fire. Another one later died of his injuries.
The investigation has shown that the fire started in several different places on the ferry, and that it was therefore probably a case of arson.
Norwegian police blamed a Danish truck driver who himself died in the fire. But the charge was subsequently withdrawn.
Safety on board the “Scandinavian Star” was criticized when it emerged that the staff had neither held fire drills nor been instructed in the safety equipment.
The captain, shipowner and director were convicted in 1993 of breaching the Act on the Safety of Ships.
Relatives of the victims have criticized the investigation and believe the fire was an attempt at insurance fraud.
In February 2016, the former Danish chief investigator of the disaster, Flemming Thue Jensen from the Danish Maritime Authority, claimed – after 26 years of silence – that two of the crew were behind the fire.
And Knud Skaareberg Eriksen, former head of the Danish Maritime Authority’s investigation unit, said in February 2016 that back in 1990 he provided four names of crew members who could be responsible for the fire.
In August 2016, Norwegian police published a report on the ship fire.
The police concluded in this connection that it was still unknown who the perpetrator or perpetrators behind the fire were.
In 2015, the Norwegian Storting initiated an official commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire. It found no evidence that the fire was caused by sabotage.
In 2021, an overwhelming majority in the Danish Parliament decided that the accident should be investigated by an impartial working group. This time with a focus on ownership and, not least, insurance conditions.
Before the report from the impartial task force was finished, another investigation initiated by the Ministry of Commerce concluded that the Danish Maritime Authority should have carried out a so-called port state control of the ferry in 1990.
Where the investigation found that the inspection of certificates should have taken place, the investigation found that according to current practice the agency should not have been inspected. It was thus concluded that the Danish Maritime Authority did not break the law by not sighting the ship.
In August 2023, the mandate of the previously appointed task force was extended to also investigate how the sequence of events surrounding the fire had developed if the Danish Maritime Authority had carried out the checks that were pointed out as having been omitted in the Ministry of Commerce’s investigation.
On Friday 13 September 2024, the task force’s investigation is complete. Here it is concluded, among other things, that if the Danish Maritime Authority had carried out a so-called port state control, it could have reduced the accident.
In addition, the task force did not find a financial motive for setting fire to the ferry. Among other things as the sale price and thus the insurance sum agreed with other ferries in the market at the same time.
Ritzau, Norwegian police, the task force report
2024-09-13 13:37:17
#Scandinavian #Star #history
Table of Contents
The Scandinavian Star Ferry Disaster: A Tragic Maritime Accident Still Shrouded in Mystery
On the night of April 7, 1990, the Scandinavian Star ferry caught fire while en route from Oslo to Frederikshavn, claiming the lives of 158 people and injuring many more. The tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the maritime community and beyond, raising questions about safety protocols, arson, and insurance fraud.
The Fateful Voyage
The Scandinavian Star, a Danish-owned ferry, set off from Oslo with 482 passengers and crew members on board. Tragically, the voyage was cut short when a fire broke out on the ferry, spreading rapidly and engulfing the ship in flames. The blaze proved impossible to contain, and the ferry was eventually evacuated, but not before claiming the lives of 158 people. Another passenger later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total death toll to 159.
Investigation and Controversy
In the aftermath of the disaster, an investigation was launched to determine the cause of the fire. The probe revealed that the blaze had started in multiple locations on the ferry, leading authorities to suspect arson. However, despite accusations and theories, no one was ever formally charged with the crime. A Norwegian truck driver, who died in the fire, was initially blamed, but the charge was later withdrawn.
Safety Concerns
The tragedy highlighted serious safety concerns on the Scandinavian Star. It emerged that the crew had not conducted fire drills, nor had they received proper training on safety equipment. The ship’s captain, owner, and director were subsequently convicted in 1993 of breaching the Act on the Safety of Ships.
New Leads and Theories
Years later, in 2016, a former Danish chief investigator, Flemming Thue Jensen, came forward with new allegations, claiming that two crew members were behind the fire. Another official, Knud Skaareberg Eriksen, revealed that he had provided four names of potential suspects to investigators back in 1990. Despite these new leads, the Norwegian police concluded in 2016 that the perpetrator(s) remained unknown.
Official Commissions and Investigations
In 2015, the Norwegian Storting initiated an official commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire. The commission found no evidence of sabotage. More recently, in 2021, the Danish Parliament decided to launch a new investigation, this time focusing on ownership and insurance conditions. The inquiry is ongoing, with an impartial working group tasked with uncovering the truth.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation
Despite decades of investigation and inquiry, many questions surrounding the Scandinavian Star disaster remain unanswered. The exact cause of the fire, the identity of the perpetrator(s), and the role of insurance and ownership interests in the tragedy all continue to be debated. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims and the maritime community at large are left to wonder what really happened on that fateful night.
Conclusion
The Scandinavian Star ferry disaster is a tragic reminder of the importance of safety protocols, proper training, and effective investigations. As the inquiry continues, it is hoped that the truth will finally come to light, bringing closure to those affected and ensuring that such a tragedy never occurs again.
Keywords: Scandinavian Star, ferry disaster, maritime accident, safety protocols, arson, insurance fraud, investigation, Norway, Denmark.
Meta Description: Learn about the devastating Scandinavian Star ferry disaster, which claimed 159 lives in 1990. Discover the investigation’s findings, controversies, and ongoing efforts to uncover the truth behind this tragic maritime accident.
Header Tags:
H1: The Scandinavian Star Ferry Disaster: A Tragic Maritime Accident Still Shrouded in Mystery
H2: The Fateful Voyage
H2: Investigation and Controversy
H2: Safety Concerns
H2: New Leads and Theories
H2: Official Commissions and Investigations
H2: Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation
H2: Conclusion
The Scandinavian Star Ferry Disaster: A Tragic Maritime Accident
On the night of April 7, 1990, the Scandinavian Star ferry caught fire while en route from Oslo to Frederikshavn, resulting in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent history. The tragedy claimed the lives of 158 people, with another victim succumbing to their injuries later. This devastating incident raised numerous questions about safety protocols, arson, and insurance fraud. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Scandinavian Star disaster, the investigations that followed, and the key safety violations identified.
The Incident
The Scandinavian Star, a ferry operated by the Danish shipping company, was carrying 482 passengers and crew members when a fire broke out in the early hours of April 7, 1990. The ferry was on its way from Oslo to Frederikshavn, a routine journey that would turn into a nightmare. The fire, which is believed to have started in multiple locations, quickly spread throughout the ship, making it difficult for passengers and crew to escape.
Investigations and Charges
The Norwegian police launched an investigation into the incident, which led to the arrest of a Danish truck driver who was suspected of arson. However, the charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence. The investigation revealed that the fire was likely an intentional act, but the perpetrators were never identified.
In 1993, the captain, shipowner, and director of the Scandinavian Star were convicted of breaching the Act on the Safety of Ships. The investigation highlighted several safety violations, including the lack of fire drills and inadequate training of the crew.
Controversies and Criticisms
Relatives of the victims have long been critical of the investigation, citing insulinurance fraud as a possible motive behind the fire. In 2016, the former Danish chief investigator of the disaster claimed that two crew members were behind the fire, but this was never substantiated.
The Norwegian Storting (parliament) launched an official commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire, which found no evidence of sabotage. In 2021, the Danish Parliament decided to investigate the accident further, focusing on ownership and insurance conditions.
Key Safety Violations
The investigation into the Scandinavian Star disaster identified several safety violations, including:
- Lack of fire drills: The crew had not conducted fire drills, which would have prepared them to respond to an emergency situation like the one that occurred.
- Inadequate training: The crew was not adequately trained in safety procedures, including the use of fire extinguishers and evacuation protocols.
- Poor communication: There were communication breakdowns between the crew and passengers, which hindered evacuation efforts.
- Inadequate safety equipment: The ferry was not equipped with adequate safety equipment, such as smoke detectors and fire alarms.
- Lack of port state control: The Danish Maritime Authority failed to conduct a port state control inspection, which could have identified safety violations before the ferry set sail.
Lessons Learned
The Scandinavian Star disaster led to a major overhaul of maritime safety regulations, emphasizing the importance of regular safety drills, crew training, and adequate safety equipment on board ferries. The incident also highlighted the need for effective communication and cooperation between ferry operators, authorities, and rescue services in emergency situations.
the Scandinavian Star ferry disaster was a tragic reminder of the importance of safety at sea. The incident led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, but it also raised questions about the handling of the investigation and the role of insurance fraud. As we reflect on this tragic event, we must ensure that we learn from the mistakes of the past to prevent similar disasters in the future.
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