Families Demand Inquest Into Lamma Tragedy

Families of some of the 39 people killed in the 2012 Lamma ferry disaster said on Saturday that they had written to the coroner’s court asking it to change its decision not to hold an inquest into their deaths.

They said an inquest could potentially uncover more details of the disaster and the public also has the right to know.

One of the family members noted inquests were held over several other events, including the Manila hostage crisis in 2010, in which a rogue policeman hijacked a tour bus and killed eight people from Hong Kong.

"There's no way for us to vent our emotions," she said. "There have been no government officials coming to us to check on us over all these years."

Lawyer and former Democratic Party lawmaker James To said the families were considering writing to the Department of Justice or making an application at the High Court for a Coroner’s inquest to be held.

The government last month told the families that there would be no further prosecution against anyone over the incident and that there would be no inquest.

On the evening of October 1 2012, the Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry "Sea Smooth" collided with the Hongkong Electric vessel "Lamma IV", partially sinking the latter. Lamma IV had been taking employees and their families out to watch the National day firework display.

The captains of the two vessels and two Marine Department officials were jailed and 17 Marine Department officers received disciplinary penalties after being found guilty of misconduct.