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Sinking of the Estonia, The (6/6)

This is also part of this series: Surviving Disaster (6)

Subjects: Disaster Preparedness, Eastern European Studies, History, Law, Transportation

Grade Level: SrH-Adult
Producer: BBC
Closed Captioned: No

Running Time: 60 mins
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Study Guide: No

Copyright Date: 2006
Available in French: No

When the ferry Estonia sank in 1994, killing 852 people, it was the worst transport disaster in Europe since World War II. But who was to blame? Was it the design of the boat? Faulty maintenance? Or mistakes by the captain and crew?

The Estonia passenger ferry was once a proud symbol of independence for the Estonian people, who in 1991 had celebrated their freedom from 50 years of Russian Communist rule. In September 1994, it embarked on what was to be her last voyage.

Despite a small list to one side, the Estonia left the safety of the coastline and ventured into the rougher open seas of the Baltic, where high winds and ferocious waves crashed against the ship. With pressure on to arrive on time, the Estonia kept going at speed into the storm, with devastating consequences.

Featuring the accounts of those who escaped the sinking ship and survived the agonising seven-hour wait to berescued, this dramatised documentary retells the story of the ship's last voyage. Of the 989 crew and passengers on board, only 137 survived.

PLEASE NOTE: The series contains some disturbing and graphic images.

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