Victims’ families seek compensation for Scandinavian Star disaster as Attorney General reassesses liability

The relatives of victims and survivors of the Scandinavian Star disaster have faced significant challenges in seeking compensation from the state for the 1990 fire that claimed 159 lives. The Attorney General, representing the Danish Maritime Authority in the case, has received 1.55 million DKK, as revealed by a series of invoices.

In September, an independent Scandinavian Star Task Force issued sharp criticism of the Maritime Authority’s actions. The Task Force concluded that the 159 victims might have had better chances of survival if the Maritime Authority had inspected the passenger ship before it began operating in April 1990. This finding contrasts with the Attorney General’s assessment, which argued that the Authority bore no liability since it was not required to conduct a “port state control” inspection.

Now, the Attorney General has to reassess the situation following the Task Force’s findings. A private law firm, favored by the state, will evaluate the report’s implications for potential compensation for the victims’ families.

Søren Søndergaard, a member of the Danish Parliament from the Red-Green Alliance, has raised concerns about the Attorney General’s impartiality in this context. Mads Pramming, representing 45 survivors and relatives seeking 450,000 DKK each in compensation, expressed skepticism about the Attorney General’s forthcoming evaluation, suggesting it is unlikely they would admit to previous errors.

The Task Force, established in 2021 and composed of independent experts, aimed to scrutinize the events leading up to the tragedy. Critics argue for a state apology and compensation, while some maintain that the Attorney General’s role in defending the Maritime Authority’s interests undermines the investigation’s integrity.