The Swedish State Accident Commission has dismissed conspiracy theories surrounding the 1994 sinking of the M/S Estonia, revealing that a purported secret document was falsified. The commission's investigation, prompted by a 2020 documentary, also clarified the roles of two ships involved in the rescue and debunked claims of serious safety breaches before the disaster.
State Accident Commission Debunks Estonia Conspiracy Theories
Theory: Someone 'Hostile' Has Forged Documents
The Swedish State Accident Commission has examined conspiracy theories about the sinking of the M/S Estonia. This includes an alleged secret document from the Swedish Maritime Administration.
– This secret stamp is forged, says the commission's chairman Jonas Bäckstrand.
On Wednesday, the State Accident Commission presented new findings on the sinking of the M/S Estonia. During the work on the final report, which is to be presented at the end of the year, the commission has determined that some issues should be examined more closely.
– These issues have taken on a life of their own. The old investigation from 1997 was a temporary investigation that was dissolved. So no one could answer these questions. We have seen a need to do so, says the commission's chairman Jonas Bäckstrand during the press conference.
Therefore, a press conference is now being held where the conclusions are made public.
Investigated Ten-Page Document
The Accident Commission writes in its conclusions that it has investigated a ten-page document provided by a journalist, whose name the commission does not wish to disclose.
The document contains alternative theories about the sequence of events, such as multiple holes in the hull and the opening of ramps during the sinking. The commission cannot verify the document's origin.
The commission has concluded that the document is false. The secret stamp is deemed computer-generated. They have also not found a copy at the Swedish Maritime Administration. The Armed Forces also clarify that such a stamp never existed.
– The conclusion is that the secret stamp is forged. This document was not created by the Swedish Maritime Administration, says Jonas Bäckstrand.
The Accident Commission does not know who provided the false document to the journalist.
– It should be someone with some form of connection to the Swedish Maritime Administration since that template has been used. It should also be someone who is malicious or hostile towards the Swedish Maritime Administration, says Jörgen Zachau, accident investigator.
Examined Two Ships
The commission has also investigated information concerning two ships that were near Estonia at the time of the sinking. In the original investigation by the international investigation commission (JAIC) from 1997, the ships were referred to as “unknown vessels.”
The commission has now, with the help of logbook entries and information from the relevant ports, been able to identify the ships. They believe there was an error in the investigation documents from 1997.
– We assess that these are two ships that participated in the rescue operation, says Jonas Bäckstrand.
Finally, they have looked more closely at the circumstances surrounding an exercise that took place on Estonia the day before the sinking. The commission concludes that the exercise was nothing more than an exercise. There have been claims that Swedish inspectors tried to prevent the ship from departing due to serious deficiencies. But according to the commission's review, no such attempts were made, based on testimonies and the extent of the deficiencies.
– None of the deficiencies are described as serious, and there have never been attempts to stop the ship, says Jörgen Zachau.
Background: Documentary from 2020
The commission writes that several alternative theories have circulated since the sinking in 1994 and that during the investigation, they were contacted by representatives from a group that does not rule out such theories.
The commission's ongoing investigation was initiated after the documentary "Estonia – The Discovery That Changes Everything" from 2020 showed damage to the hull. The documentary has been criticized for spreading myths about the accident.
– I cannot deny that it was the documentary that started our work, says Jörgen Zachau.
Estonia sank on September 28, 1994, during a journey between Tallinn and Stockholm. The bow visor came off, and the ferry began taking on water before capsizing and sinking. 852 passengers and crew members died, of which 501 were Swedes.