The families of those killed in an oil rig disaster 45 years ago have welcomed a new report backing their claims they were denied justice.

It was used as an accommodation area when Alexander Kielland's platform tilted in the Norwegian North Sea during a storm in 1980, killing 123 people, including 22 from the UK.

Stavanger University Research Concluded authorities failed survivors and victims' familiesthe Norwegian government has previously apologized.

Laura Fleming, who Father Michael was the one who was killed.the report should help realize what happened.

Fleming, 37, was one of five men from Cleator Moor, Cumbria, who died on a floating rig 200 miles (322 kilometers) off the Norwegian coast on March 27, 1980 .

His daughter Laura, who is part of the Kielland family network, said the "shocking truth" of what happened was only recently revealed and she still had many questions.

this Stavanger University Research It concluded that Norwegian authorities prioritized the reputation of the lucrative oil industry over fully exploring the causes of the disaster.

They say there are more complex factors involved than a simple break on the fourth-grade platform, which has been blamed on the French manufacturer.

Ms Fleming, who lives in Durham, said the Disaster family had offered "no explanation for the rig" and "the door to power was firmly closed to any questions" after accepting the settlement.

"The Norwegian government made a conscious decision not to let accidents happen naturally," Ms Fleming said, adding that it did not want to launch a full investigation because it could impact an industry that provides "wealth and prosperity".

The Norwegian government had previously apologized for the failure of the investigation, but ruled in 2021 that the new investigation would not produce anything new.

Ms Fleming said she was "grateful" for the "important" new research, adding that it could "help bring the truth to light".