Danish Maritime Authority acquitted in Scandinavian Star ferry fire damages case

159 people died in the ferry fire in April 1990. Most of them were Norwegians, but Swedes and Danes were also among the dead.

36 years later, survivors and relatives demanded 600,000 Swedish kronor in damages. They said the authority had not fulfilled its supervisory duties before the accident, but the court in Næstved announced on Wednesday that the Swedish Maritime Administration was acquitted.

The ferry had been deployed on the Oslo - Fredrikshamn route a week before the fire, and the newly hired crew had not conducted a fire drill.

A politically appointed investigation previously concluded that the scope of the disaster could have been reduced if deficiencies onboard had been addressed.