A passenger ferry carrying approximately 150 people crashed into a quay at Nacka beach in Stockholm on Wednesday morning, leaving five people hospitalized and prompting a criminal investigation.
Stockholm Police confirmed they have opened an investigation into “negligence in maritime traffic and causing bodily harm” following the collision. The ferry, operated by transport company Strömma, was running its regular route between central Stockholm and Fjäderholmarna, the closest island in the Stockholm archipelago.
A total of five people with minor injuries were taken to hospital for treatment by ambulance,” Stockholm Police stated in an update. Initial reports had indicated three to four people were slightly injured, but the casualty count was later revised upward.
Second Incident in Weeks
The crash marks the second incident involving the same vessel in recent weeks. The ferry reportedly ran aground and collided with an outdoor restaurant several weeks ago, raising questions about operational safety and vessel maintenance.
“It’s two unrelated events,” a Strömma spokesman insisted when questioned about the pattern. “We do not yet know if a technical fault was behind this incident, we have not come that far yet.”
Peter Henricson, spokesperson for Strömma, provided initial details to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet about the circumstances of the crash. The vessel experienced difficulties with its propulsion systems at a critical moment.
Insufficient Reverse Power
It is our ferry that runs between Stockholm and Fjäderholmarna, which for unknown reasons did not have sufficient reverse power and crashed hard into the quay,” Henricson told Aftonbladet. The failure to slow the vessel resulted in a forceful impact with the dock infrastructure.
Maritime police joined regular officers at the scene to investigate the incident. The response included multiple ambulance units to assess and transport injured passengers to local hospitals for treatment.
The criminal investigation will examine whether negligence contributed to the crash. Swedish maritime law requires vessel operators to maintain adequate safety standards and operational procedures to protect passengers.
Popular Tourist Route
The affected ferry operates on one of Stockholm’s most popular tourist routes, connecting the city center to Fjäderholmarna in just 30 minutes. The archipelago island attracts thousands of visitors annually with its restaurants, craft shops and scenic nature trails.
Strömma operates multiple ferry services throughout the Stockholm archipelago as part of the region’s extensive maritime transport network. The company’s vessels typically depart from Strandvägen and Nacka Strand, serving various islands in the archipelago.
Fjäderholmarna, sometimes called Stockholm’s gateway to the archipelago, lies just 30 minutes by boat from the city center. The island cluster remains open from April through September and features traditional Swedish restaurants, artisan workshops and brewery facilities.
Investigation Underway
Police have not released details about potential causes beyond Henricson’s statement about insufficient reverse power. Technical inspections of the vessel will likely form a crucial part of the criminal investigation.
We have opened a criminal investigation into negligence in maritime traffic and causing bodily harm,” police confirmed. The investigation will examine crew actions, vessel maintenance records and operational procedures leading up to the collision.
Maritime safety experts note that approach procedures to docks require careful speed management and functioning reverse thrust capabilities. Any failure in these systems can result in dangerous situations, particularly with passenger vessels carrying large numbers of people.
Safety Concerns
The incident raises broader questions about ferry safety in Stockholm’s busy archipelago waters. Thousands of passengers daily use ferry services to travel between the city and its surrounding islands, particularly during summer tourist season.
Swedish maritime regulations require regular safety inspections and maintenance protocols for passenger vessels. The investigation will likely scrutinize whether these requirements were properly followed.
No information has been released about the identities of injured passengers or the severity of their injuries beyond police confirmation that all were classified as minor. Hospital officials have not provided updates on the conditions of those admitted for treatment.
Ongoing Operations
Despite the incident, other Strömma ferry services continue operating normally throughout the Stockholm archipelago. The company has not announced any fleet-wide safety reviews or service suspensions following the crash.
Nacka beach, located east of central Stockholm, serves as a key departure point for archipelago ferry services. The area includes residential developments and maritime facilities supporting the region’s extensive water transport network.
As the criminal investigation proceeds, maritime authorities will examine whether additional safety measures are needed to prevent similar incidents. The probe’s findings could impact operational procedures across Stockholm’s ferry network.
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Image Credit:
Nacka, Sweden – Image by panoramio user, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
