Swedish prosecutors requested a remand detention for the captain of a Norwegian cargo ship following a fatal collision in Hakefjorden near Tjörn that killed a mother and daughter. The captain, a Russian citizen, faces preliminary suspicion of causing another’s death through negligence.
Remand Hearing Requested Over Flight Risk and Witness Tampering
The prosecution authority in Sweden asked for the captain’s remand detention following the late-July disaster off the Swedish west coast. Prosecutor James von Reis, who leads the investigation, stated that the master lacks ties to Sweden, any other Nordic country, or the European Union, creating a tangible flight risk. Authorities also cited the early stage of the inquiry and the potential for witness interference as grounds for the detention request.
The captain, whose vessel was traveling from Uddevalla to Kragerø when the collision occurred, was arrested on Thursday evening. Defense counsel Taavi Tuula declined to comment on how his client responds to the preliminary suspicions when asked by reporters. The fengslingsmøte was scheduled for Sunday or at the latest Monday, according to the Swedish prosecution authority.
Collision in Hakefjorden Claims Two Lives and Injures Father and Son
The tragedy unfolded late Tuesday evening in Hakefjorden near Tjörn, where the Norwegian cargo ship Misje Verde collided with a recreational boat carrying a family of four. While the father and son were pulled from the water quickly with serious injuries, a search ensued for the mother and daughter. Johan Albin of the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority noted to SVT that what has emerged points to a collision between the cargo boat and the recreational boat with severe consequences.
The mother was found dead near the wreckage on Thursday morning, and search teams located her minor daughter later that same evening. The father and son remain hospitalized in stable condition, and the father has already been questioned about the sequence of events.
Crew Uncertainty and Salvage of the Recreational Vessel
Swedish authorities have taken seizure of the Norwegian cargo ship Misje Verde. The vessel’s crew, reported as seven or eight members from Russia and Ukraine, was interrogated by authorities, explaining they did not notice any impact. Managing director Roald Misje of Misje Rederi stated that the crew members explained they did not notice any collision, noting that no one on board noticed anything or heard anything.
According to the shipping company, the master was standing on the bridge steering the vessel alongside a Swedish pilot when the crash happened. Roald Misje expressed profound dismay over the incident, describing the detained master as a steady and reliable captain who has served the company for many years, adding that the company wants to get to the bottom of this so it does not happen again. Swedish investigators also secured the ship’s “black box,” with Björn Ramstedt of the accident commission stating they hope there may be audio recordings of what happened on the bridge.
Hull Examination and Salvage Operations
Rescue crews successfully salvaged the family’s wrecked boat on Friday evening following a difficult operation managed by the Swedish Coast Guard. Investigator Bjorn Ramstedt praised the massive effort and noted that they must do examinations of the hull to understand the accident sequence. Maritime experts such as ship expert Mats Gruvefeldt point to the recovered hull as a key piece of evidence that helps a lot to understand the course of events for Aftonbladet.
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