Senegal: Senegal commemorates 15th anniversary of Joola sinking

26 Septembre 2017

DAKAR, Senegal, September 26 (Infosplusgabon) - Senegal on Tuesday commemorated the 15th anniversary of the sinking of the boat, "Le Joola", which occurred on the night of 25 to 26 September off the Gambia, causing 1,863 deaths and disappearances.

Taken in a strong storm, the ship, which serviced the Dakar-Ziguinchor link, had more than 2,000 passengers on board, far exceeding its capacity.

According to the official record, only 64 people survived the tragedy, the largest in maritime history, the cause of which is mainly related to overloading.

The official commemoration ceremony took place in Ziguinchor, in the south of the country, from where the boat came.

It was attended by a large government delegation led by the Minister of the Armed Forces, Augustin Tine, several local government officials, as well as religious and customary leaders.

Prayers and recollections took place in the various sites where the victims of the sinking lie, notably in Mbao, on the outskirts of Dakar, where a cemetery was laid out for the occasion.

Families of victims continue to demand the bailout of the boat while others refuse to collect the financial compensation paid by the State of Senegal.

The sinking had resulted in the resignation of the ministers responsible for land transport, Yousoupha Sakho, and his counterpart of the Armed Forces, Youba Sambou.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/ERA/GABON 2017

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