Â鶹Éç

Available for over a year

Twenty years ago on 26 September 2002, a Senegalese government-run ferry capsized off the coast of The Gambia and at least 1,800 lives were lost. There were only 64 survivors. The Joola, was a ferry built in Germany with a capacity for just 580 passengers, but at the time when it sank it is believed that there were many more than 2,000 people on board. The death toll that was higher than the famed Titanic, but what really happened that night is still shrouded in mystery. Elie Diatta lost his brother Michel in the tragedy. His brother, who was a football coach, was supervising and travelling with a group of young footballers. Elie is now in charge of legal affairs for the association representing the victims. He spoke to Focus on Africa's Rene Bissohong about his frustration over the Senegal government's investigation into the Joola disaster and says "the greatest injustice in Senegal is called 'Joola'." Photo: Elie Diatta, head of legal affairs for the Ziguinchor Victims Association, holds a picture of his brother Michel, who was among the hundreds of passengers who died in the Joola ferry disaster. Credit: Â鶹Éç.