The University of Stavanger's findings offer validation for families like that of Laura Fleming, whose father was among 123 killed in the tragic capsizing, highlighting the government's prioritization of oil industry reputation over justice.**
Families of Kielland Disaster Victims Find Hope in New Study**
Families of Kielland Disaster Victims Find Hope in New Study**
A recent report reaffirms claims by families of the 1980 Kielland oil rig disaster victims regarding missteps by Norwegian authorities.**
The families of victims from the devastating Kielland oil rig disaster are expressing optimism following a pivotal study that supports their long-held claims of being denied justice. The Alexander Kielland platform, which served as an accommodation block, tragically capsized in the Norwegian North Sea on March 27, 1980, leading to the deaths of 123 individuals, including 22 from the UK.
In a recently released study by the University of Stavanger, findings suggest that Norwegian authorities failed to adequately respond to the needs of the survivors and families left behind, a sentiment that the Norwegian government has previously acknowledged through apologies. Laura Fleming, whose father Michael perished in the accident, emphasized the importance of the report, stating that it should assist in uncovering the truth regarding the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
Thirty-seven years old at the time of the catastrophe, Mr. Fleming was one of five men from Cleator Moor, Cumbria, who lost their lives when the floating rig capsized approximately 200 miles off the Norwegian coast. Laura Fleming, an active member of the Kielland Network, expressed that many critical questions about the disaster still remain unanswered.
The University of Stavanger’s examination revealed that the authorities prioritized the interests of the oil industry over a thorough investigation into the disaster's causes. The report indicates that there were more intricate factors involved than the widely blamed snapping of a leg on the four-year-old platform, a fault attributed to its French manufacturers.
Living in Durham, Ms. Fleming recounted how families felt "pressured" into accepting settlements without any explanations regarding how the rig sank, noting that questions were met with silence. She criticized the Norwegian government for their decision to avoid comprehensive inquiry, suggesting their reluctance stemmed from concerns about the potential impacts on the oil industry—an economic pillar for Norway.
While the Norwegian government has previously issued apologies for its investigative shortcomings, it stated in 2021 that a new inquiry would unlikely produce new findings. Ms. Fleming expressed gratitude for the critical insights of this latest study, hopeful that it could lead to a greater understanding of the tragedy and the truth that families have sought for decades.
In a recently released study by the University of Stavanger, findings suggest that Norwegian authorities failed to adequately respond to the needs of the survivors and families left behind, a sentiment that the Norwegian government has previously acknowledged through apologies. Laura Fleming, whose father Michael perished in the accident, emphasized the importance of the report, stating that it should assist in uncovering the truth regarding the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
Thirty-seven years old at the time of the catastrophe, Mr. Fleming was one of five men from Cleator Moor, Cumbria, who lost their lives when the floating rig capsized approximately 200 miles off the Norwegian coast. Laura Fleming, an active member of the Kielland Network, expressed that many critical questions about the disaster still remain unanswered.
The University of Stavanger’s examination revealed that the authorities prioritized the interests of the oil industry over a thorough investigation into the disaster's causes. The report indicates that there were more intricate factors involved than the widely blamed snapping of a leg on the four-year-old platform, a fault attributed to its French manufacturers.
Living in Durham, Ms. Fleming recounted how families felt "pressured" into accepting settlements without any explanations regarding how the rig sank, noting that questions were met with silence. She criticized the Norwegian government for their decision to avoid comprehensive inquiry, suggesting their reluctance stemmed from concerns about the potential impacts on the oil industry—an economic pillar for Norway.
While the Norwegian government has previously issued apologies for its investigative shortcomings, it stated in 2021 that a new inquiry would unlikely produce new findings. Ms. Fleming expressed gratitude for the critical insights of this latest study, hopeful that it could lead to a greater understanding of the tragedy and the truth that families have sought for decades.
