Kategorie: News
The mystery of the Estonia
On September 28, 1994, the Baltic Sea ferry Estonia sank. The disaster claimed the lives of 852 people. To this day, it has still not been possible to fully determine the reasons. Now, for the first time since the diving expeditions of the early 2000s, the Estonia wreck is to be examined again.
At 1.30 a.m., the background noise of the international call and distress VHF channel 16 was interrupted. A Mayday call from the Baltic ferry Estonia. The heavy storm off the south coast of Finland, was certainly part of the problem and eventually the bow hatch of the ship broke or cracked. The Estonia began to list about halfway between the Estonian capital of Tallinn and Stockholm.
The crew desperately tried to contact the "Silja Europa", which was in the nearby area. The cries for help "MADAY, MAYDAY", which can still be heard on sound recordings, send a shiver down the spine.
The ship "MS Mariella" was the first to reach the scene of the accident and was able to save the lives of the first six people. About 25 helicopters sent from Sweden and Finland were also sent to help. But the help, it came too late: 852 passengers and crew members were swept into the depth of the Baltic Sea, only 137 could be rescued, 93 people were recovered dead.
Even after 25 years, the sinking of the MS Estonia still raises many questions
It is certain that the bow hatch ruptured. This allowed a lot of water to enter the ship in a short time. It was probably too weak. This theory was supported by the results of an investigation by the Technical University of Hamburg in 2005. Using simulation software, it was found that the forces generated by the storm waves drastically exceeded the values for which the bow hinge was designed. Perhaps the hinges were poorly maintained or was it sabotage after all? Also the crew's actions, particularly for failing to reduce speed before investigating diverse problems have been seen very critical. And, of course, the fatal turning maneuver with the bow hatch already torn off. Anyway, there was no clear answer yet ...
The shortcomings of the investigation and the report gave rise to many conspiracy theories. Some even believed in a bomb on board, others in a submarine attack. The fact that military goods had been transported on the Estonia fueled the conspiracy theorists. The exact cause of the accident is still unknown.
To date, dives to the wreck of the Estonia ferry have been prohibited. A law from 2000, which is now to be amended, declared sanctity over the site and is thus intended to prevent the disturbance of the resting of the dead.
Several reporters from a diving documentary team have been charged with disturbing the peace of the dead - e.g. the 2000 expedition. However, they claim journalistic freedom and to want to provide clarity for survivors and surviving relatives.
New decision by Swedish government to open way for new investigation
The decision was a recommendation from the investigative authorities of Estonia, Finland and Sweden, which called for new underwater investigations.
When in September a multi-part TV documentary showed pictures of the wreck lying at a depth of 80 meters, one could see a previously unknown four-meter-long crack at the bow of the ferry. This caused tempers to flare. New information was demanded, not only by survivors, but also by scientists and journalists.
"We want answers to a number of questions. This concerns both the holes in the hull and whether the Estonia may have been carrying a military cargo on the night of the sinking," Anders Eriksson, one of the survivors, told broadcaster SVT. "It needs to be re-investigated and it needs to be done correctly," he demanded.
Estonia's Prime Minister Jüri Ratas is also calling for a new investigation into the wreck, according to Estonian Radio. Sweden and Finland now agree that Estonia would lead a new investigation.