First civil suit filed over Lamma ferry tragedy that killed 39 people
First compensation claim against companies and ferry captains involved in 2012 collision
The companies and vessel captains involved in the 2012 Lamma ferry tragedy are facing their first civil lawsuit over the collision.
The four parties are being sued for negligence and breach of duty, in a High Court writ filed by a person who claims to have suffered from the National Day disaster that killed 39 people.
Mak Wing-han seeks unspecified damages from Hongkong Electric Company - now known as HK Electric - and the captain of its motor launch Lamma IV, Chow Chi-wai, as well as Islands Ferry Company and the captain of its public ferry Sea Smooth, Lai Sai-ming.
The compensation is sought for "personal injury, loss and damages sustained in connection with the two marine vessels' collision … on October 1, 2012", the writ says. It does not explain in what capacity Mak is entitled to compensation. Mak is the first person to launch civil proceedings against the companies and captains over the tragedy.
The accident happened in waters west of the Shek Kok Tsui light beacon, off the northwestern coast of Lamma Island. The Lamma IV was ferrying 124 passengers - staff members of the power firm and their families - on an excursion to view National Day fireworks at Victoria Harbour when the vessel collided with the Sea Smooth, with 62 passengers on board.
The Lamma IV sank soon after the crash. Eight children were among the dead. Following the accident, the government set up a commission of inquiry to conduct an investigation.