We hear much about Norwegian oil, and how the discovery of petrol in the North Sea in the late 1960s changed Norway’s fortunes forever, making the country one of the richest in the world. But this new-found wealth came at a price, and was not without its challenges, and tragedies. The worst of them all happened 30 years ago today, when 123 men lost their lives in a terrible accident out at sea, after the Alexander Kielland platform capsized into the ocean in a particularly ferocious storm in the evening of 27 Mars 1980.

The Alexander Kielland, a drilling rig used as living quarters for offshore workers, was part of the Ekofisk oil field in the North Sea, about half-way between the Scottish and Norwegian coasts. The storm, which had pounded the platform with gale force winds and waves of up to 10 meters all day, led to  the supporting structure to give in – and the platform to collapse into the sea. There were 212 people on the Alexander Kielland when the accident happened – only 89 of whom survived. Among the victims were 27 Americans and two Brits.

The Mayday call went out at 18.33 and the massive rescue operation that ensued involved helicopters, planes and ships from all over the North Sea area. It was, however, impeded by thick fog, which reduced visibility significantly.

It was later revealed that a fatigue crack in one of the bracing units that held the platform’s supporting columns together was to blame for the capsize. The Alexander Kielland accident was the worst disaster in Norwegian waters since WW2. A black day in Norwegian history, the disaster resulted in the tightening of security on offshore installations, and more demanding standards in the construction of off-shore platforms. The platform was named after Alexander Lange Kielland, a Norwegian author.