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SCMP Editorial

The Lamma ferry disaster, in which 39 people including eight young children lost their lives, is one of the worst maritime tragedies in Hong Kong history. More than a decade has passed since the horrific collision between two passenger vessels on October 1, 2012.
For many, memories of the tragedy have faded. But the suffering of those who lost loved ones continues.
The disaster raised many questions about maritime safety. It sparked a public inquiry and several criminal trials. But after all this time, there has still not been an inquest into the circumstances in which the victims died.
Now, at last, this will take place.


This week, the Court of Appeal ordered such a step to be taken. An inquest is needed.
It will further the community’s understanding of what happened that night and help ensure tragedies of this kind are not repeated.
A coroner decided not to proceed with an inquest in November 2020, despite a police report that recommended such proceedings take place. That decision was upheld by a Court of First Instance judge in November.
The view taken was that an inquest would not add much to the wealth of information already obtained during the public inquiry that ended in 2013 and the subsequent criminal trials. The judge found that an inquest would not be in the public interest.
But the Court of Appeal disagreed. It relied, in part, on fresh evidence gathered in police investigations that deserves further examination.

The court identified six outstanding questions. They concern the design, construction and approval process relating to the two vessels.
The issue of working conditions for seamen also needs to be probed. These are important matters that should not be left unresolved.
The inquest will be a public hearing. It will subject relevant individuals and companies to scrutiny.
There will be a fresh examination of the conduct of the Marine Department. The proceedings are likely to lead to new recommendations being made so that lessons are learned.
Inquest into Hong Kong’s Lamma IV disaster ‘must reveal full story of ferry crash’
It is good to see that the Transport and Logistics Bureau and HK Electric, which owned the vessel that sank, have promised to cooperate fully with the inquest.
The proceedings will revive painful memories and raise questions about matters that individuals concerned may have thought would now be forgotten. But it is a necessary step to ensure the full picture emerges and to boost confidence in Hong Kong’s maritime safety.
Relatives of those who died have faced a long, hard battle for the truth. They will now get the inquest they desire and deserve.
As the court said, it is to be hoped that when the inquest is over they will all find the closure that is long overdue.


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Hong Kong

Inquest into 2012 Hong Kong ferry disaster a necessary step to bring closure

Family members perform rituals off Lamma Island following the horrific ferry disaster in October 2012. Relatives of the dead now will get the inquest they wanted. Photo: David Wong

Passenger disembark from the Lamma Island ferry. More than a decade has passed since the collision of a ferry and another vessel killed 39 people in one of the worst maritime tragedies in Hong Kong’s history. Photo: Elson Li

Can the shadow of the Lamma IV disaster at last be lifted? The Post looks at the implications of a High Court ruling in favour of an inquest 11 years after the ferry sinking claimed 39 lives

The wreck of the Lamma IV ferry is lifted from the seabed. Photo: SCMP

A shocked survivor of the sinking is helped by emergency services workers. Photo: AP

Alice Leung and Philip Chiu are overcome with emotion after a High Court ruling that an inquest into the 2012 Lamma IV marine disaster should go ahead. Photo: Brian Wong

The Lamma IV, which sank after a collision with another ferry, the Sea Smooth. Photo: Sam Tsang

Coroner’s inquest into Hong Kong’s Lamma IV disaster must expose systemic issues, reveal full story of ferry crash, victims’ families say

The HK Electric ferry that sank in the waters off Lamma Island after the collision in 2012. Photo: SCMP 

Alice Leung and Philip Chiu, relatives of two of the victims, outside the High Court after learning about Wednesday’s ruling. Photo: Brian Wong

Philip Chiu (left) attends a hearing of the commission of inquiry in 2012. Photo: Felix Wong

Hong Kong court orders coroner’s inquest into 2012 Lamma ferry crash that killed 39 people, overturning earlier ruling

Thirty-nine people, including eight children, died in the city’s worst maritime disaster since 1971. Photo: Sam Tsang

Alice Leung and Philip Chiu, relatives of two of the victims, stand outside the High Court after learning about Wednesday’s ruling. Photo: Brian Wong

A young survivor is rescued after the collision involving the two ferries in Hong Kong in 2012. Photo: AP

An internal investigation in 2014 by the former Transport and Housing Bureau held 17 marine officials liable for the tragedy. Photo: Sam Tsang

Family members perform rituals at the site of the collision. Photo: David Wong

Opinion

Comment

Relatives of those who died have faced a long, hard battle for the truth and now, finally, they will get the proper inquiry that they desire and deserve


Relatives of those who died have faced a long, hard battle for the truth and now, finally, they will get the proper inquiry that they desire and deserve.


Lamma ferry crash

HK Electric

Accidents and personal safety in Hong Kong

Marine safety

History

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

Editorial | Inquest into 2012 Hong Kong ferry disaster a necessary step to bring closure

Relatives of those who died have faced a long, hard battle for the truth and now, finally, they will get the proper inquiry that they desire and deserve