Families of Kielland Disaster Victims Advocate for Justice in New Study

The recent University of Stavanger report critiques the Norwegian government's handling of the Alexander Kielland oil rig disaster, affirming families’ claims of enduring injustice since 1980. The study suggests authorities favored the oil industry's reputation over the truth, echoing ongoing calls for accountability from relatives of the 123 victims, including Laura Fleming, whose father perished in the tragedy.

Families of victims from the Alexander Kielland oil rig disaster, which occurred in the Norwegian North Sea in 1980, have expressed support for a new critical study that substantiates their long-standing claims of inadequacies in how authorities handled the incident. On March 27, 1980, the platform, which served as an accommodation facility, capsized during severe weather conditions, resulting in the loss of 123 lives, including 22 individuals from the UK.

The University of Stavanger's study has drawn attention to the failures of Norwegian authorities to provide adequate support to the survivors and the families of victims. The Norwegian government has previously issued apologies for their investigative shortcomings, yet many questions regarding the disaster remain unanswered, according to family members. Laura Fleming, whose father Michael was one of the deceased, stated the report amplifies the need for transparency regarding the true cause of the tragedy.

The study revealed that authorities seemed more concerned with maintaining the positive image of Norway's lucrative oil industry rather than conducting a thorough examination of the disaster’s causes. Contrary to initial beliefs attributing the incident to a mechanical failure, the research indicates that deeper systemic issues contributed to the catastrophe.

Laura Fleming, who is actively involved in the Kielland Network, highlighted how families felt coerced into accepting compensation without a clear understanding of the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the rig. She criticized the government for deliberately avoiding a full investigation post-accident, fearing it might tarnish the oil sector which significantly benefitted the nation’s economy.

While the Norwegian government has maintained that another inquiry would not yield new insights since they already recognized their previous failings, Fleming expressed gratitude for the new study, reiterating the importance of uncovering the truth to honor those lost in the tragedy and to advocate for long-overdue justice.