Next week, an unusual legal case opens in Næstved, where survivors and relatives of victims from the 'Scandinavian Star' disaster seek compensation from the Danish Maritime Authority. The tragic fire in 1990 claimed 159 lives, and plaintiffs argue the authority failed to enforce basic safety standards on the vessel.
Already, a dispute has emerged over who can testify. The State Prosecutor, known as Kammeradvokaten, is acting on behalf of the Danish Maritime Authority and attempting to block impartial legal experts from appearing as witnesses. These experts were expected to provide independent analysis in what many describe as a historic and deeply significant trial.
The move has sparked strong reactions from survivors and families of those who died. They believe the exclusion of neutral expert testimony undermines transparency and justice. Their core claim remains that the maritime regulator neglected its duty by not addressing the ship’s dangerously poor safety conditions before the deadly blaze occurred.
As Denmark prepares for this emotionally charged proceeding, public attention turns to how institutions handle historical accountability. For many affected families, the courtroom battle isn’t just about compensation—it’s about recognition of systemic failures that cost lives decades ago.