The Baltic Sea claimed 852 people’s lives by drowning and freezing them to death in the 8 degree C cold water. Only 95 bodies were ever recovered. The wreck of the Estonia was not salvaged, but sealed, covered in sand and declared an official burial ground. The 150 metre long Estonia left the Estonian capital Tallin and sailed into a raging Baltic Sea. Unlike the other car ferries on the route, the Estonia ran at full speed into waves more than 15 meters tall. Six hours into the voyage, she sank to a depth of more than 75 metres.
