Thirty-nine people including eight children lost their lives when the Lamma ferry collided with a HK Electric ferry taking employees and families to see the National Day fireworks in 2012. Photo: Reuters
Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/article/3159728/families-2012-hong-kong-ferry-disaster-need-closure Opinion
Families of 2012 Hong Kong ferry disaster need closure
- Privacy ultimately has to be weighed against the public interest as calls grow for a full disclosure of the report into the tragedy
The damaged Lamma IV is moored off Lamma Island in Hong Kong after the October 2012 collision that killed 38 people. Photo: EPA
National Day is one of patriotic pride and celebration. But for dozens of families and many friends, October 1 cannot pass without reliving the grief and horror of one of Hong Kong’s worst maritime disasters.
Thirty-nine people including eight children lost their lives when the Lamma ferry collided with a HK Electric ferry taking employees and families to see the National Day fireworks in 2012.
Nine years later, those who lost loved ones are still seeking closure. This is after an inquiry made findings against Marine Department inspectors, and charges that resulted in both captains, a departmental manager and a ship inspector receiving jail terms.
The government has maintained right up to now its refusal to release the full report, and not just an executive summary, of an internal investigation into the accident by the Transport and Housing Bureau, which accused 17 unnamed officials of misconduct and linked the tragedy to “suspected criminality”. Reaffirming this stance a few days ago, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor cited privacy concerns about personal information that would result in many parts of the report being redacted.
The disaster is arousing interest again after a media report, based on access to court papers, claimed police in 2015 suggested an inquest into the 39 deaths, and that 17 of 22 Marine Department officers who had given statements did not testify before the inquiry. Lam said the government would not pursue the matter further or hold an inquest, because judicial proceedings related to the tragedy had finished.
Privacy is a legitimate concern, but where loss of life and the safety of public transport is involved, privacy ultimately has to be weighed against the public interest. Otherwise there is no apparent reason not to release the report.
Time heals but people may still need closure to move on, even after nine years. It is difficult to take sides, but not to also empathise with families.
In that respect, the government’s response may seem abrupt, although Lam said she understood families’ feelings. It seems there is still room to reach out to them and be more inclusive about the internal report.
After all, Lam did say her stance held “up to this moment”. Hopefully it is not the last word.
Closure on disasters can be good for governments, too.