EKOFISK FIELD — 1980 · Major Tragedy
Alexander L. Kielland Platform Disaster
On the evening of 27 March 1980, the semi-submersible Alexander L. Kielland, used as an accommodation platform for oil workers on the Ekofisk field in the North Sea, lost one of its legs in stormy weather at around 18:30, listed and soon capsized. Of the 212 people aboard, 123 died; 89 were rescued by lifeboats, rafts and supply vessels. It was Norway's deadliest offshore disaster since the Second World War. The 1981 investigation concluded that a fatigue crack, originating in a poorly designed weld made when the platform was built in 1976, had severed a bracing. Families argued for years that the investigation was inadequate; in 2025 the Norwegian government apologised and parliament voted to pay compensation.
- Date
- 1980
- Place
- North Sea, Norway, Ekofisk Field, NO
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 56.5500, 3.2100 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 27 March 1980, 18:30The platform lost a leg and capsized; 123 people died.
- March 1981The inquiry blamed a fatigue crack and a poor weld.
- 1986The 'Broken Chain' memorial was erected in Stavanger.
- 2025The government apologised to families and parliament approved compensation.
Sources
- BBC News — Kielland oil rig disaster victims 'failed by Norway authorities' bbc.com ↗
- BBC News — Kielland families welcome Norway rig deaths compensation bbc.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Alexander L. Kielland (platform) en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.