to remember one of worst marine disasters in historythe Senegalese city where half of Approximately 1,900 dead people lived driven tribute on Monday for those lost when the phrase Le Joola was overturned in 2002, describing the pain as “a wound that never heals”.
When news It spread that the ship had capsized on the night of September 26, 2002, no one in The southern town can believe it.
“It was out of the question,” Noha Cisse said. who I was head high school teacher in Ziguinchor that lost 150 pupils in the tragedy.
One hundred relatives and officials took part on Monday morning in Two religious memorial ceremonies – Catholic and Muslim – next to about 50 graves in Canteen Cemetery on outskirts of the city of Zigencourt.
that official The delegation laid wreaths before women in long traditional Dresses and their families visited the graves.
“It’s very important for us To be here, to pay tribute Elena mother And our sister’s son who Ndeyi Astu Diba, 38, said.
Le Joola one of Worst civilian marine disasters in history.
a total of 1863 people Sink or lost – surpassing the toll of the Titanic of more More than 1500 about 90 years ago.
Le Joola sailed in a storm off the coast of Gambia on The way From Ziguinchor to the capital, Dakar.
Calls to lift the wreck
At another bigger party with several hundred people Near the Casamance River from which Le Joola departed, it was head of Victims associations repeated a call for debris lift.
Le Joola, that sank to the deep of 20 meters (66 feet) long, it is believed to contain many bodies.
Ferry played a major role role in Zygencore in The isolated enclave of Casamance, which provides a lifeline to Dakar and transports agricultural products as well as tourists.
Casamance, almost broke up with the rest of Senegal by the small country of The Gambia had been devastated since 1982 by a separatist rebellion. September 2002 witnessed a boom in attacks.
On September 26 more from 1,928 people officially crowded on To the gateway, which has the ability of 536 passengers.
Victims’ associations say more More than 2000 passengers from more of twelve countries Died, and only 65 survived.
‘Unbearable’ news
with crowds Gathering at the port the next morning, prime minister announced Jula has flipped me.
“Then it was unbearable in Zygencourt”, recalls journalist Ibrahima Gasama who disaster covered for Radio FM Sud.
“number one could console anyone. besieged the gendarmerie off The area because some people They were threatening throw themselves at sea.
“They’ve lost everything,” Gassama said.
65- “It was really a disaster,” said 65.year- Old Khedidiato Diop, who lost it mother.
“In this house one someone died, in who – which house else deathacross the road one dead. she was like That’s it over Zygencourt”.
For Jasama, “It’s a wound that never heals.
“I don’t think it could ever be because the next behavior over deal of It was a disaster second Shipwreck.”
He only mentioned the rescue efforts that took place next today and official “Lies” deny the Most High death fees.
Questions remain
two decades onmany questions remain without an answer.
The causes of The incident has not been fully proven, although there is a Senegalese government Opening an investigation and opening a French investigation because of of death of 18 French citizens.
engine failurenavigational error bad weatherpoor maintenance And overcrowding – or both – is likely to be the cause.
Senegal closed the case in 2003 after the completion of the investigation that blamed the captainLost in disaster.
French courts also He rejected a years-long investigation, which found Evidence against Seven Senegalese officials concluded that Paris had no jurisdiction.
Senegalese and French victims’ associations have contacted for A memorial is erected. One of these events was pledged five years ago, but the site wasn’t ready anywhere in Zygencore on Monday.
Relatives of the Senegalese victims were compensated but President Macky Sall has not attended the anniversary since then took office.
Ask later on On Monday it was the country in “symbiosis” with The victims added: “We must ensure Such a tragedy never happens again. “
