The University of Stavanger's report has vindicated the families of those who perished in the 1980 Alexander Kielland oil rig disaster, revealing failures by Norwegian authorities to investigate adequately and prioritize truth over industry reputation.
Families Seek Justice 45 Years After Kielland Oil Rig Tragedy
Families Seek Justice 45 Years After Kielland Oil Rig Tragedy
A new study sheds light on the shortcomings of authorities in the aftermath of the Kielland oil rig disaster, as families of the victims demand accountability.
Families of victims from the Kielland oil rig disaster, which claimed 123 lives in 1980, have expressed their support for a new study that shines a light on the injustices they claim to have faced following the tragedy. The Alexander Kielland platform, which served as an accommodation block, capsized during a storm in the Norwegian North Sea, resulting in the deaths of many, including 22 individuals from the UK.
A recent study from the University of Stavanger suggests that Norwegian authorities failed the victims' families and survivors in the wake of the disaster, a claim that the Norwegian government has previously acknowledged through public apologies. Among those affected is Laura Fleming, whose father Michael was one of the casualties. Laura, involved with the Kielland Network of families, noted that new revelations about the accident's circumstances raise many critical questions about what truly transpired that fateful day.
The study indicates that Norwegian authorities seemed more focused on safeguarding the reputation of the valuable oil industry than confront fully the causes of the disaster. It stresses that the narrative which attributed the accident solely to a failure of the platform's structure does not encompass the more intricate dynamics involved.
Living in Durham, Laura Fleming remarked how families were pushed to accept undisclosed financial settlements without comprehensive explanations regarding the rig's sinking, effectively closing the doors on any probing inquiries. She contended that the government's reluctance to conduct a thorough investigation stemmed from concerns about the implications such actions would have on the nation’s oil-dependent economy.
While the Norwegian government has expressed remorse for the shortcomings in the previous investigation efforts, a 2021 decision to pursue fresh inquiries was deemed unlikely to reveal new information. Nonetheless, Ms. Fleming expressed gratitude for the new study, suggesting it might play a vital role in uncovering the truth surrounding the Kielland disaster, advocating for the long-overdue justice for the families affected.
