description MV Le Joola Overview
MV Le Joola was a Senegalese government-owned roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry that primarily transported passengers between Ziguinchor in the Casamance region and Dakar. On the night of September 26, 2002, the ferry capsized off the coast of The Gambia during a severe storm. The ship was heavily overcrowded at the time, carrying over 2,000 passengers, far exceeding its official capacity, which contributed to the rapid loss of stability. The disaster resulted in an estimated 1,863 deaths, making it one of the deadliest peacetime maritime accidents in history.
insights Ranking position
MV Le Joola ranks #16 of 186 in the Shipwreck ranking, behind MV Sewol, ahead of MV Goya.
help MV Le Joola FAQ
Why did MV Le Joola capsize?
The ferry encountered severe weather off The Gambia while carrying far more people than its certified capacity. Investigations and reporting also identified stability, loading, and operational failures as central factors in the disaster.
How many people survived the Le Joola disaster?
Only 64 people are generally reported to have survived. The total number aboard was uncertain because many passengers were not recorded, but the death toll exceeded 1,800.
What route was Le Joola sailing when it sank?
It was traveling from Ziguinchor in Senegal's Casamance region toward Dakar. The ferry provided a crucial connection that avoided the difficult overland route around or through The Gambia.
How does the Le Joola death toll compare with the Titanic disaster?
Le Joola killed more people than the roughly 1,500 who died when Titanic sank in 1912. Despite that scale, the 2002 Senegalese disaster remains much less internationally familiar.
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