In 2012, the Lamma Shipwreck led to 39 deaths. The investigative committee led by Judge Lun Minggao published a 238-page report in the following year. In 2015, the police also submitted more than 2,000 pages of death investigation reports to the coroner, covering more than 90 people. The confessions of two witnesses have not been made public until this year when the family members of the victims claimed that they were issued to their families.
"Hong Kong 01" obtained the report document and found that the police concluded that the person in charge of the shipping company and the Marine Department personnel had not given evidence in an open court, and suggested that a death inquest should be held.
However, the Coroner's Court decided last year according to the opinion of the Attorney General not to hold a hearing.
39 people died in the Lamma shipwreck during the National Day fireworks in 2012.
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In 2012 National Day fireworks, the Hongkong Electric Ferry "Lamma 4" carrying 127 passengers and crew was hit by the bed of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Haitai and sank quickly, causing 39 deaths and 92 injuries.
At that time, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying appointed Lun Minggao, a judge of the Court of Appeal, as the chairman of the "Collision Investigation Committee near Lamma Island." The regulatory system itself has serious problems, and 13 suggestions for improvement have been put forward.
At that time, the report covered part of the content, and the complete content was not disclosed until the end of September 2015.
In 2015, the police submitted more than 2,000 pages of the "Lamma Shipwreck Death Investigation Report" to the coroner. There were 91 witnesses' confessions, and it was concluded that a coroner's inquiry should be held.
(Photo by Yu Junliang)
Police report: personnel of the Marine Department of the shipping company have not publicly confessed to suggesting a coroner's court
The police also submitted the "Lamma Shipwreck Death Investigation Report" to the Coroner in 2015. In the 2000-page report, there were 91 witnesses' confessions, including 13 passengers or distressed persons, 11 beneficial shipyard personnel, and 22 maritime personnel. Office staff.
According to the report, Lamma 4 did not have a watertight door installed, and there are also multiple versions of the watertight door plan. The shipping company’s statements are inconsistent and the ship’s structure was not found to be inconsistent with the plan during the survey by the Marine Department.
The police concluded that the person in charge of the shipping company and the Marine Department personnel had not given evidence in public court, and the cause of the shipwreck has yet to be clarified.
Due to the seriousness, sensitivity and public interest of the case, it is recommended that a death inquest be held.
It is recommended that a Death Inquest be held to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased. Police "Lamma Shipwreck Death Investigation Report" April 23, 2015
In 2015, the police submitted more than 2,000 pages of the "Lamma Shipwreck Death Investigation Report" to the coroner. There were 91 witnesses' confessions, and it was concluded that a coroner's inquiry should be held.
(Photo by Yu Junliang)
Judiciary's comprehensive opinion and report of the Department of Justice decided not to open the Coroner's Court
However, the Judiciary received an opinion from the Department of Justice in October 2020, and combined Judge Lun Minggao’s "Report of the Investigation Committee on the Collision Near Lamma Island" and the "Lamma Shipwreck Death Investigation Report" of the police, and decided not to convene the cause of death. court.
The judiciary stated that it does not comment on individual cases.
According to the Department of Justice, internal work will not be made public.
In response to media enquiries, the police stated that after submitting the report to the coroner, the police received instructions not to initiate a coroner's inquiry.
▼The family members of the Lamma shipwrecked victims published an open letter on December 7▼
On December 7, Chief Executive Carrie Lam responded to the issue of publicizing the police report of the Lamma Shipwreck. The internal investigation involved a lot of personal information. If a large amount of personal information is to be publicized, it has always been the view that it is not appropriate to disclose it.
(Photo by Li Zetong)
Lamma Shipwreck ︱ Lam Cheng: Many personal data involved in internal investigations are still considered unsuitable for disclosure
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