Kielland’s families welcome a new study

The families of those killed in an oil platform disaster 45 years ago have welcomed a new report that supports their statements that justice is denied.

The Alexander Kielland platform was being used as an accommodation block when it overturned in the North Norway Sea during a storm in 1980, killing 123 people, including 22 from the United Kingdom.

A study by the University of Stavang has The authorities concluded failed the survivors and the families of the victimsfor which the Norwegian government has previously apologized.

Laura Fleming, whose Father Michael was among those killedThe report said should help reach the truth of what happened.

Fleming, 37, was one of Cleator Moor’s five men in Cumbria, who died when the floating platform overturned about 200 miles (322 km) on the Coast of Norway on March 27, 1980.

His daughter Laura, who is part of the Kielland families network, said that the “shocking truth” of what had happened had been recently revealed and still had many questions.

He Study Study Study The Norwegian authorities concluded prioritized the protection of the reputation of the lucrative oil industry on the completely exploration of the causes of the disaster.

They said there were more complex factors involved than the simple broken of one leg on the four -year platform, which was blamed for French manufacturers.

Mrs. Fleming, who lives in Durham, said that as a result of the families of the catastrophe were “pressured” to accept settlements with “without explanation offered about how the platform sank” and the “door of power firmly closed to any ask”.

“The Norwegian government made a conscious decision of not doing what an accident would follow and sensibly,” said Fleming, added that he did not want to carry out a complete investigation, since that could affect the industry that provided “wealth and prosperity. “

The Norwegian government was previously apologized for the failures in their investigations, but in 2021 a new investigation ruled would not produce anything new.

Mrs. Fleming said she was “grateful” for the new “important” study, adding that it can “help achieve the truth.”