Scandinavian Star Disaster: Survivors and Relatives Sue Denmark Over Safety Failures
Næstved, Denmark – A decades-long legal battle began Tuesday at the Næstved Court as survivors and relatives of the 1990 Scandinavian Star ferry disaster pursue a lawsuit against the Danish Maritime Authority. The plaintiffs allege failures in safety inspections contributed to the fire that claimed 159 lives, making it one of Scandinavia’s deadliest peacetime maritime tragedies.
Decades-Long Pursuit of Accountability
Mike Axdal, a Danish survivor who lost his father and brother in the fire, is at the center of the case. He emphasizes that the lawsuit is about achieving justice and accountability, not financial compensation. The case represents one of Denmark’s longest running battles for accountability in a maritime disaster. The trial is scheduled to last 14 days, with a verdict expected at the complete of March. Three judges will preside over the proceedings.
The Core of the Legal Case
The lawsuit centers on whether the Danish Maritime Authority neglected its duty to conduct a mandatory port state control inspection before the Scandinavian Star sailed from Frederikshavn, Denmark, to Oslo, Norway, in April 1990. According to the 1951 Ship Inspection Act, and both Danish and international law, such inspections were required. Axdal’s legal team, led by Mads Pramming and Viktor Kieler Herskind, argues that a proper inspection would have revealed significant safety deficiencies.
Plaintiffs and Scope of the Lawsuit
Currently, 47 plaintiffs are involved in the case, with 15 being Norwegian citizens. The plaintiffs collectively suffered direct or indirect losses as a result of the fire. In 2022, 29 survivors and relatives initially announced their intention to sue the Danish Maritime Authority for a total of 13 million Danish kroner. The number of plaintiffs has since increased.
Questions Remain About the Fire’s Origin and Investigation
The cause of the fire remains unresolved. Initial investigations focused on a Danish lorry driver who perished in the fire, but a 2014 police report found no grounds to single him out as the perpetrator. Subsequent information suggested multiple fires started in different locations on the ship at different times.
In 2016, retired Danish maritime inspector Flemming Thue Jensen alleged the fire was an act of sabotage carried out by crew members with a financial motive. This claim is supported by marine inspector Gisle Weddegjerde, who believes certain interests are being protected at the expense of revealing the truth.
Criticism and Ongoing Concerns
Despite the legal proceedings, some skepticism exists regarding the lawsuit’s potential success. Marine inspector Gisle Weddegjerde argues the basis for the lawsuit is flawed, suggesting the arson would have been undetected even with an inspection and that the Norwegian Maritime Authority had no legal obligation to inspect the vessel. He also notes the ship had recently been approved by Lloyds and the US Coast Guard.
Further questions remain regarding who authorized the Scandinavian Star to operate and why ships in the vicinity were allegedly ordered not to approach the burning vessel during the emergency. The 2017 report from the Storting’s commission of inquiry disappointed survivors and relatives, who deemed it flawed.
Looking Ahead
The trial in Næstved is expected to conclude on March 25th. The Danish support association hopes the proceedings will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the disaster and address concerns about rescue and crisis preparedness. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for maritime safety regulations and accountability in Denmark and beyond.