Hong Kong Coroner’s Court will not investigate Lamma ferry disaster, families of victims told
- Relatives notified by the court on Saturday that it will not open an inquest into crash, which left 39 dead in 2012
- Democratic Party’s James To, who is helping the families, says information was a ‘bolt out of the blue’ for them
Relatives of the victims of the tragedy, in which 39 people died after a collision between two vessels, were notified by the court on Saturday that it would not open an inquest, said Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun, who has been assisting the families.
“It was like a bolt from the blue for the family members after they had learned the information,” To said, adding that he also was surprised at the coroner’s decision.
“As the Lamma ferry crash was an unprecedented marine accident in Hong Kong … an inquest should be opened to give family members and the public the truth.”
In a reply to the Post on Saturday night, the judiciary said the coroner had explained in his letters to the family members concerned the reasons for not holding a death inquest. The judiciary had no further comment.
Thirty-one adults and eight children died after HK Electric’s Lamma IV vessel, which was taking 124 passengers to view a National Day fireworks display, collided with Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry’s Sea Smooth off Lamma Island on October 1, 2012.
Some 92 passengers on both vessels were also injured. It was the city’s worst maritime disaster in 40 years.
Families of victims in Lamma ferry disaster ‘still waiting for justice’
To said an inquest would be necessary to let the public know about the details of investigations by police and the Marine Department, which were carried out after an inquiry by a commission led by judge Mr Justice Michael Lunn.
The report published by the commission back in 2013 concluded that there were “serious systemic failings” with the department which contributed to the tragedy.
To added that it was unfair for victims’ family members to lose the right of cross-examination, which would have helped pursue the truth behind the accident.
“An inquest is the only opportunity for victims’ relatives to receive relevant [investigation] documents, make cross-examinations and seek the truth,” To said.
He said he would meet family members soon and consider sending a letter to the Coroner’s Court to seek an inquiry.
