ZIGUINCHOR — 2002 · Major Tragedy
Le Joola Ferry Disaster
On 26 September 2002 the Senegalese state-owned ferry Le Joola capsized in a storm off the coast of The Gambia while sailing from Ziguinchor in Casamance to Dakar. Designed for around 550 passengers, it was officially carrying more than 1,800 people. A total of 1,863 died and only 64 survived, making it one of the deadliest non-military maritime disasters in history. It emerged the ferry was sailing beyond the distance permitted for a coastal vessel, one of its engines was faulty, and rescuers arrived late. Senegal's inquiry blamed the dead captain; a case opened in France stalled over jurisdiction. Families still call for the wreck to be raised.
- Date
- 2002
- Place
- Off The Gambia (Senegalese ferry), Ziguinchor, SN
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 13.4000, -17.2000 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 26 September 2002Le Joola capsized in a storm off The Gambia.
- 27 September 2002Rescuers arrived late; only 64 people were saved.
- 2003Senegal's inquiry blamed the dead captain and closed the case.
- 2008A French judge moved against Senegalese officials; the case went nowhere.
- 2022On the 20th anniversary families demanded the wreck be raised.
Sources
- BBC News — Q&A: What caused the Joola ferry disaster? news.bbc.co.uk ↗
- The New York Times — Senegal ferry Joola, 20 years on nytimes.com ↗
- Wikipedia — MV Le Joola en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
Related Cases
More cases from the 2000s
Categories
Collections
🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.