The MS Estonia disaster occurred on the night of 28 September 1994, when the ferry sank in the Baltic Sea during its voyage from Tallinn, Estonia, to Stockholm, Sweden. The sinking, which resulted in the deaths of 852 of the 989 people on board, was one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in European waters.
The ship encountered rough weather, with strong winds and significant waves. At around 01:00, loud metallic noises were heard as the bow visor of the ferry failed, allowing water to flood the vehicle deck. The ship began listing heavily, and by 01:50, the Estonia had capsized and sunk. A distress call was sent, but the ship's exact position was unclear due to loss of power, which delayed rescue efforts.
Despite rescue operations involving nearby ferries and helicopters, only 138 people were saved, while 852 perished, most due to drowning and hypothermia in the cold water. The majority of the victims were from Sweden and Estonia, with only a handful of survivors being women and children.
The official investigation concluded that the failure of the bow visor and ramp allowed water to flood the car deck, destabilizing the ship. Criticism was directed at the ship's design, inadequate inspections, and the crew's delayed response to the emergency. The tragedy led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, including improved lifeboat systems and mandatory voyage data recorders.