The Copeland Ramblings/

MV Le Joola

Le Joola

Today is the 8th anniversary of the sinking of the MV Le Joola, one of the largest ever peacetime maritime disasters. On September 26th, 2002 a Senegelese ferry  travelling from the Casamance (southern region of Senegal) to Dakar capsized off of the coast of The Gambia. This disaster resulted in the deaths of at least 1863 people, though the real number will never be known because of the large number of unticketed passengers on board. It is sad because the Joola was only rated for 580 passengers. Only 64 people survived.

Our friend Suzanne told us about this disaster yesterday, I was shocked that I had never heard of it before! More people died in this tragedy than in the sinking of the Titanic and it ranks as second worst non-military maritime disaster. A large number of the passengers were from the Jola people group, our friend Suzanne said that her sister (which could mean cousin or close friend) had actually bought a ticket but for some reason never made it on board.

The official inquiry was short, and no one was ever held responsible. Injustice is commonplace here but we are thankful to be here serving God who is not only just but loving as well.

The Capsized Joola

On this day..

• Learning Culture and Making Friends - 2009
• SURPRISE! - 2008
• Scary - 2007
• Oh where, oh where is my bus! - 2007