1987: Zeebrugge car ferry disaster

A car ferry capsized just outside the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on 6 March 1987, killing 193 people.

The tragedy happened just before 19:00 GMT as the Townsend Thoresen ferry left Zeebrugge bound for Dover with 650 passengers on board.

The Herald of Free Enterprise's bow doors had been left open, allowing it to fill with water and become unstable.

BBC Archive: This BBC News report was broadcast on 7 March 1987, as divers continued the search for survivors in the upturned hull of the ship.

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