A coroner’s inquest into one of Hong Kong’s worst maritime disasters started on Tuesday, with some survivors complaining that they were never told the location of life-saving apparatus and the means of escape before their ferry sank in the accident 13 years ago.The long-overdue hearing was held after two relatives of victims convinced the Court of Appeal that it was in the public interest to investigate the incident once again, even though the causes of the tragedy had been largely identified in previous inquiries.The 39 deceased were among 124 passengers on board the Lamma IV vessel heading to view National Day fireworks as part of a recreational event by HK Electric organised for its employees and their relatives.The boat was hit on the port side by the Sea Smooth ferry, operated by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, while heading to Victoria Harbour at around 8.20pm.The damaged Sea Smooth was able to continue to Lamma Island’s Yung Shue Wan Pier, but the Lamma IV sank in less than two minutes partly due to design flaws.It marked the city’s worst maritime disaster since 1971, when 88 were killed after a ferry sank during a typhoon.
The coroner’s inquest, like, started on Tuesday, you know? Survivors, like, they were complaining that they weren’t told where the life-saving stuff was before the ferry sank, which is, like, a pretty big deal, right? The Court of Appeal was convinced by two relatives of the victims that it was important to investigate the incident again, even though they kinda already knew what happened before. The 39 people who died were part of the 124 passengers on the Lamma IV boat, going to see the fireworks for National Day. It was organized by HK Electric for their employees and families, you know? The boat got hit by another ferry, the Sea Smooth, and the Lamma IV went down real quick because of some design problems. It was the worst disaster in Hong Kong since 1971, when a ferry sank during a typhoon and 88 people died.
The survivors, not really sure why this matters, but they said they didn’t know where to go when the boat was sinking. They were kinda left in the dark about the escape routes and stuff, which seems like a pretty big oversight, right? The Sea Smooth was able to make it to the pier, but the Lamma IV didn’t stand a chance with those design flaws. It’s been 13 years since the accident, but finally, they’re looking into it again to see what really went wrong.
The inquest is, like, trying to figure out what happened that night when everything went down. The survivors are sharing their stories about not knowing where to go or what to do when the boat started sinking. It’s a pretty sad situation, you know? The Court of Appeal decided it was important to look into it again, even though they already had some idea of what caused the tragedy. The boat was full of people going to see the fireworks, but it all ended in disaster when the Sea Smooth crashed into it. The Sea Smooth managed to make it to the pier, but the Lamma IV went down in less than two minutes. It was a real tragedy for the city, the worst since that typhoon in 1971.
The survivors are finally getting a chance to tell their stories and, like, hopefully get some closure after all these years. The inquest is a long time coming, but at least they’re trying to get to the bottom of what happened that night. It’s a sad reminder of the dangers of being out on the water, you know? Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like they should’ve looked into this sooner, right? The survivors deserve some answers, and hopefully, they’ll get them during this inquest.
The inquest into one of Hong Kong’s worst maritime disasters is finally underway, with survivors speaking out about the lack of information on life-saving measures before the ferry sank. The Court of Appeal has decided to investigate the incident again, despite previous inquiries identifying the main causes of the tragedy. The 39 victims were part of a group heading to view National Day fireworks on the Lamma IV boat, organized by HK Electric for its employees and their families. The boat was struck by the Sea Smooth ferry, leading to the Lamma IV sinking due to design flaws. This incident marks the city’s worst maritime disaster since 1971.
As the inquest progresses, survivors are sharing their experiences of not being informed about escape routes during the tragic event. The Court of Appeal’s decision to reopen the investigation highlights the importance of uncovering the full details of the disaster. The collision between the two vessels resulted in a devastating loss of life, emphasizing the need for thorough examination and accountability. The survivors’ accounts shed light on the chaos and lack of preparedness on the ill-fated journey.
Overall, the inquest serves as a crucial step towards understanding the events leading up to the maritime disaster and ensuring justice for the victims and their families. The reopening of the investigation reflects the persistent efforts to uncover the truth and prevent similar tragedies in the future. The survivors’ testimonies provide valuable insights into the harrowing ordeal they faced on that fateful night. It is essential to address any lapses in safety protocols and emergency preparedness to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
In conclusion, the inquest into Hong Kong’s worst maritime disaster is a significant undertaking that aims to provide closure and accountability for the victims and their loved ones. The survivors’ voices are essential in uncovering the truth and addressing any shortcomings in safety measures. The Court of Appeal’s decision to revisit the incident underscores the importance of learning from past mistakes and implementing necessary changes to prevent future tragedies. The inquest serves as a reminder of the fragility of life at sea and the importance of prioritizing safety measures to protect passengers and crew members.
