The Zeebrugge Disaster occurred on March 6, 1987, when the ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized shortly after leaving the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. The vessel was carrying passengers and vehicles, and the tragedy resulted in the deaths of 193 people. The disaster was attributed to the ferry's bow doors being left open, allowing water to flood the car deck. Following the incident, investigations revealed serious safety lapses and inadequate crew training. The disaster led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, including stricter protocols for ferry operations and improved training for crew members to prevent similar tragedies in the future.