The Estonia, a ferry that sank in the Baltic Sea in 1994, killing 852 people, was not caused by an explosion or collision, according to a new investigation. The ferry was en route from Tallinn, Estonia, to Stockholm, Sweden, when it capsized on September 28th, 1994. The disaster is considered one of the worst peacetime shipwrecks in European history.
The new investigation, conducted by a team of experts from Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, revealed that construction flaws in the ship’s bow visor and ramp were the primary cause of the disaster. The bow visor, which was designed to protect the ship from waves, had been poorly constructed and was not properly secured to the ship. Additionally, the ramp, which was used to load vehicles onto the ferry, had not been properly strengthened to withstand the weight of heavy vehicles.
The new findings contradict the official investigation from the 1990s, which concluded that the disaster was caused by a design flaw in the ship’s bow visor. However, the new investigation revealed that the bow visor was not the sole cause of the disaster and that the construction flaws in the visor and ramp were the primary factors that led to the sinking of the Estonia.
The new investigation also disproved previous claims that an explosion or collision had caused the ferry to sink. The team of experts used advanced technology and techniques to examine the wreckage of the ship and analyze the testimony of survivors, and they found no evidence of any blast or collision.
The Estonia sinking was the worst maritime disaster in the Baltic Sea in modern times. The disaster has always been shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories, making it one of the most contentious and debated maritime disasters of all time. The new investigation, which was conducted with the participation of experts from Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, may finally put an end to the speculation and provide closure for the victims’ families.
The new findings have also raised questions about the safety of other ferries that were built using similar construction methods. The countries involved in the investigation have called for a review of the safety regulations for ferries and other ships to ensure that similar disasters do not happen in the future.