Swedes want checks for hull damage in 1994 ferry disaster
by The Associated Press
Last Updated Dec 18, 2020 at 10:14 am EDT
COPENHAGEN Sweden said Friday it wants divers to inspect the wreck of one of Europe’s deadliest peacetime maritime disasters, the sinking of a ferry in the Baltic Sea in 1994 that killed 852 people, in order to probe claims of a large hole in the hull.
A 1997 report had concluded that the M/S Estonia that was sailing from Tallinn to Stockholm sank after the bow door locks failed in a storm, and flatly rejected the theory of a hole, which has long been the focus of speculate on about a possible explosion on board.
STOCKHOLM, Dec 18 (Reuters) – Sweden said on Friday it would allow an underwater examination of the ferry Estonia, which sank in the Baltic 26 years ago with the loss of 852 lives, after a documentary film showed previously unknown holes in the wreck’s hull. The official investigation concluded in 1997 that the roll-on, roll-off ferry’s bow shield had failed, damaging the bow ramp and flooding the car deck.
However, a Discovery Network documentary shown earlier in the autumn about the disaster included new underwater video images from the wreck site showing two previously unknown holes on the starboard side of the ship’s hull.
Sweden to allow underwater investigation of Estonia wreck site
FILE PHOTO: A helicopter circles an over turned lifeboat from the ferry Estonia, which sank in a storm off south..
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden said on Friday it would allow an underwater examination of the ferry Estonia, which sank in the Baltic 26 years ago with the loss of 852 lives, after a documentary film showed previously unknown holes in the wreck’s hull.
The official investigation concluded in 1997 that the roll-on, roll-off ferry’s bow shield had failed, damaging the bow ramp and flooding the car deck.
However, a Discovery Network documentary shown earlier in the autumn about the disaster included new underwater video images from the wreck site showing two previously unknown holes on the starboard side of the ship’s hull.
Sweden to Allow Underwater Probe of Estonia Wreck Site
Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.
(Photo: Accident Investigation Board Finland)
Sweden said on Friday it would allow an underwater examination of the ferry Estonia, which sank in the Baltic 26 years ago with the loss of 852 lives, after a documentary film showed previously unknown holes in the wreck s hull. The official investigation concluded in 1997 that the roll-on, roll-off ferry s bow shield had failed, damaging the bow ramp and flooding the car deck.
However, a Discovery Network documentary shown earlier in the autumn about the disaster included new underwater video images from the wreck site showing two previously unknown holes on the starboard side of the ship s hull.