I am an African from Nigeria in the same region of West Africa and I am amazed that if I hadnt stumbled on this doccie today I might never had known of such a notable event or that it ever happened. I feel the words of the American who investigated it and the words given in the speech about the African attitude towards such things are well placed. Everything African is treated with apathy and nonchalance: countless avoidable wars rage on the continent but are never heard of till they are of some value to the Western World. Africans also have a sure dispensation to treating procedure, maintenance and security with a high degree of laxity and irresponsibility especially when they profit from it, thereby endangering their brothers and sisters. So sad. Rest in Peace, our beloved brothers and sisters.
Why is Africa's problems the Western Worlds? Why not have local solutions for our own problems. Starting with greed and corruption. Why start wars amongst ourselves and wait for "help/ aid" from the West?
You being a Nigerian, you knowing corruption better than anyone else can tell you about. But anyone going out on king Neptune’s waters without respecting or understanding it (not necessarily being a fool) should know.. He will feed any such to his fishes.
I’m senegalese born in casamance. I was shocked to see coach Eli in this video. He has been my professor in college for 3 years, i never knew he has lost his brother in such a tragic way. I myself was supposed to take that boat with my aunt and my 2 years old cousin. We’ve already bought our tickets but the night before my cousin suddenly fell sick with a high fever and we decided to postponed our trip. That afternoon we heard the news on the radio i remember i was playing with few friends when I heard my mom, aunt and sister screaming, crying and calling the names of the people they knew who took the boat that day. It was very painful 😔
One if my friend is a survivor. The stories he narrate are heartwarming. He always goes in to tears when narrating what happened. My prayers to all those who lost their life's and love ones.
AS a native cassamancais i want to personally want to thank the Gambian people especially the fishermen that rescued the survivors and went out to retrieve the bodies and buried them. May Allah rewards you all for your kindness.
I am from Kenya, and I am listening to this for the first time. It is one of the saddest stories I have heard. I remember Abdulaye Wade, the former senegal president. May the departed find peace. I hope one day justice will be served by lifting the boat and investigating what happened. I am so sorry to the survivors and those who lost their lives.
As a Gambian The memory of The Joola still lingers with me. As a 10-year-old hearing the news, it was devastating and more heartbroken listening to the sorrowful Music collections from the wider Senegalese musicians. This unfortunate tragedy cemented the Senegambian bond between the two counties. Now that the very people who were part of the Wade Government should at least respect the wishes of the victims' families at least to comfort their broken hearts. Dear Macky Sall, The Joola deserve a befitting place in the historical records of Senegambia. The documentary could have at least recognised the work of the Gambian Government at that time too. Glad that the very people that had rescued some of the survivors were included. May The Almighty Lord's mercy be upon the departed souls and heals the broken hearts of their loved ones.
I was 6 and all I remember was the songs played on GRTS.. Le Joola was truly a tragic incident for The Gambia and Senegal. May the victims continue to rest in eternal peace
I refused to call it "The Africa's Titanic", this will be so Euro-centric. The Titanic wasn't for Africa, I will call it "Bateau La Joola", that's it's African name. Though it was so tragic, but we will call it "Le Joola", that's African.
What a dumb post. The point is to compare it to a similar tragedy that the west can relate to so they can understand the scale, not to whitewash the tragedy.
Well said Sir. To add, we Africans may equally create a new lexicon "joola" to symbolically mean a massive human loss which will help us remember the lost of our brothers and sisters who passed away in that tragic maritime accident.
This is a British news station.. calling it Africas titanic makes people understand what they’re about to discover…. Go to the US or UK and ask people what “le joola” means and nobody will know. 😂I mean Jesus every little thing white people do people like you have a problem with it. If you’re so bothered with the title being “Euro-Centric” then don’t watch a European news station… racist fools
I am a Gambian and I was about 3/4years when it happened, everybody in both Senegal and Gambia where affected by the event but most people here still don't know the full story of what exactly even thou there are songs and all dedicated to it.. this is a very enlightening doc
This is my first time hearing of this. I was born in March of 2002 in Nigeria, but I've never heard about this tragedy. My heart goes out to all the survivors and the people who have lost their loved ones. It would be great if BBC Africa could do a documentary on the tragedy that happened in Lagos years ago, when bombs/explosives went off in a military cantonment in Lagos state, Nigeria, leading to the death of hundreds of people. I have only heard about this from my mother and from a detailed Twitter thread of one of the people lucky enough to survive. Thanks for your hard work
Michel Diatta represent the word honor itself, many people would prefer to go and then try to continu their life and forget. Respect to Michel, may the souls of victims rest in peace.
It is the first time I hear about the Joola tragedy! The world outside Africa do not recognize Africa as equal… This is a strong evidence of ongoing discriminisation. So sad what happened, so sad that african leaders choose to love only themselves. May all those who lost their lives rest in peace and those who lost their dear ones find a way to tackle their sorrow. Thank you for this film. Sad but important.🕊
Think about what you just.....was it the worlds fault the boat capsized? You expect the world to know your story without you telling them? The reason you dont know this isn't the world's fault , this just showz you the ineffectiveness in africa....but you expect to be seen as as equal yet you want to be carried on free ride. How many people in senegal knows about greenfell tower does that means senegale see Uk as inferior? We shouldnt be expecting people to come see our stories/joys/sufferies we should be projecting but african countries are very good in stiffening there media and thats on our government and society. The fact the boat is still as seas shows you our ineptitude. Keep blaming the world and not accept responsibility
@@Akinwalesegun exactly Mr Akin. Twenty years later, Le Joola's wreckage is still inside the sea. The government even after been given grants didn't raise the wreckage. They automatically decided the best they could come up with is put the blame on the Captain who also died as a result of the tragedy The Senegalese government didn't take responsibility; replaced the Joola, oh yeah but what does that change? According to a thread I saw yesterday, these things still happens: Boats being overloaded, people entering without tickets; so yeah no lessons were learnt The American was right, the government were trying to cover things up. They couldn't prosecute anyone because they're also at fault According to one of Le Monde Afrique 's vidéos I watched yesterday, only 1 of the boat's 2 engines were working, the boat stopped a couple times to load even more passengers. It was only meant for 500+ passengers, but as you can see had more than 2000 passengers were on board The only woman surviver in this documentary said she never saw the Senegalese Navy, it was even the Gambian Navy who escorted them. We Africans don't realize that we have to stop playing the victim's card and start taking responsibility
I have my uncle in this boat😢. As ma mom is a Senegalese. May their souls rest in perfect peace.Ameen Was a sad moment for west Africa. Thank you BBC for sharing this to the world.
I’m Senegalese and I was 3 when this terrifying tragedy happened 😢 I grew up through those stories…may all those 1900 lives find peace ✌🏾 they will never be forgotten Insha’Allah
I am a Gambian and I was 14 when this tragedy happened. people were so confused because as Alieu Cisse said, one minute you hear it's not true, and 10 minutes later you get a different story, like oh yes, the boat did capsize. Very very sad. May they all rest in peace.
I am Kenyan and i never heard about The Jaola until today. This is very sad and i hope and pray that the Senegalese government can recover the wreckage to bring closure to the families of the victims.
As today marks 20 years after this horrific tragedy, I’m just disgusted that no Senegalese or Gambian government truly talked about this today! The government never did justice for the Victims and now doesn’t even remember them! As an African, am just ashamed! Thank you BBC
What Gambia government should do about it? Is the Gambia government owned the ship? In fact do you know the hard working Gambians did about it? Don't you know is Gambians those remove those people from water and buried them? Probably you don't know shit about it
@@laminyaffa3296 respect yourself! If it happened in Gambian territory, what’s wrong with Gambians holding a memorial for the dead Senegalese with the cordial relationship they share! You dumb fool. Respect yourself
I am Gambian, at a very young age I used to here people make songs to keep the Batou La Jola alive. I was four when this happened. This is the first time I am hearing the actual story just heard bits of it but it was spoken about in Gambia. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough resources to go to the water and investigate etc but it was very sad
My Dad has told me about this. Two of his friends died in the Joola. One of his friends borrowed a bag and the other one a tie. He said he cried all day when he heard about what happened. Another one of my relatives also died. I hope everyone who passed may Rest In Peace.
Thank for uploading this on UA-cam, BBC. I saw part of it this morning when I turned on the TV, but I wanted to see the rest of it later since I was unavailable to watch the full documentary when it was on. I had never heard of the tragedy and I liked this documentary, I also know little about Africa and would like to learn more. I will watch the rest of this.
What an impressive documentary ! Thank you to BBC for putting this together. I think people referring to the Joola as "Africa's Titanic" shouldn't be a point of discussion. The tragedy didn't hit international headlines, so I guess to raise more awareness about it, Mr Wiley used this phrase for his book's title. Our local authorities have been passive for 20 years. That should be a reason for serious concern.
im an australian and i dont ever remember hearing about this horrific event. i was completely shocked and devastated for the ones that died and their families in this preventable trajedy. my heart and love goes out to the brave survivors, the families and those fishermen who had to witness such trajedy. the government will never raise the joola because then they would have to explain what happened. the government and those in charge of the joola on that trajic day are very much to blame. greed wins over life. shame on all of them. to the survivors who shared what happened thankyou for telling your story. my love goes out to you. R.I.P to all who died
First time I am hearing about this tragedy. A shame, really, that such a disaster could happen and not been properly highlighted to serve as a warning aboutcorruption, greed, lack of safety measures and negligence to the world. From Nairobi, Kenya, condolences to our Senegalese brothers and sisters , may the memories of the departed never be forgotten.
It's hard to fathom how a tragedy of this magnitude has gone unnoticed by the world media. People continue to talk about the Titanic like it happened only yesterday. Many documentaries and films have been made. But a similar tragedy that claimed more lives has been little spoken of. Even Africans a border away have never heard of this human disaster. It's one thing to endure apathy and indifference from the world around you, but to be discarded by your own flesh and blood and treated as though you never existed, is something too sad for words to describe.
Two of my cousins my dad's two sisters each one of their sons passed away in this tragic accident. they went to cassamance where i was born for summer vacation and were going back to the capital dakar and the boat sank. I grew up with one of those cousins his name is Sidy, we used to fight and argue a lot as children, but i love him and missed him greatly.
The fact that l never heard about this tragedy until today speaks volumes of how we let our own people down as Africans.. It was just regarded as one of those unfortunate incidents and the govt kept it pushing... what a horror. MTSRIEP
This reminds me of the Philippines. May God have mercy on those who do not bare the skintones to make them valuable. My Lord, help those who have no one to lean on, help the outcasts. Ameen
I was 17 that Time. I Lost a Friend a schoolmate he was sitting just behind me at school. Rest in peace Adrien djadja. It was so sad. May their soul rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏
I’m an African American and I need someone from Senegal to tell me about this situation and the government. After watching this, it looks like a white man in The US cares more about the Senegalese than the Senegalese government. I don’t know what it will take to change things, but it is heartbreaking to keep hearing stories of similar failures by African leadership.
That was the saddest school opening the next Monday. Every Senegalese knew someone, lost someone and perhaps no responsibility no accountability held. Our neighbour did lost all his children and wife, our friends their moms …. So many faced pressure from the officials and they could send help they did nothing and as always it was fate, God’s will and not their negligence
I remember back in the days I was 12 years old in senegal. one of my teachers was in the boat and the husband of another one was also in the boat. Truth is, there were so many lives lost that you would know somebody, or somebody who know somebody who was in the boat
As a Senegalese, i had heard how a bunch of Gambian fishermen went to the rescue. So grateful for that brother state, rip to the victims. I don't remember knowing anyone at the time whose family was not impacted
I'm from Botswana and have never heard of this tragedy before...thank you for this .indeed is was worse than titanic. I'm really saddened by this great loss of life because of greed...
lorsqu'on est un journaliste qui s'occupe de la vie privée des gens, lorsqu'on s'active au quotidien à mettre en lumière des Nabou Dash, Kaliphone et autre, on doit vraiment se sentir misérable face au travail d'enquête o combien utile et humaniste des journalistes qui ont produit cette vidéo...
I agree with your overall sentiment, but it all depends on what you’re looking to get out of this documentary. If you think this story deserves worldwide attention since more people died from it than the titanic, then titling the documentary “Africa’s Titanic” is a strategic marketing tool that will garner attention from many throughout the world that may not have cared at all otherwise. I know it feels uncomfortable to realize that the titanic is the main reason more people may care but I don’t think it’s a bad tactic if it helps achieve the desired outcome. But if you don’t care about the story getting attention on a worldwide scale, then your opinion is totally valid. Again, your critique makes sense, I just want you to consider the bigger picture if the goal is to get more people around the world to learn about this story. If that’s the goal, you must forget about small details such as the title and focus on the big picture. I hope that makes sense but let me know if you disagree as I’m always open to new ideas that changed my mind for the better. God bless!
This is alot of pain. All my heart, prayers and love goes out to Senegal as a country, but especially to the families and closest friends of the victims.May their souls find rest in peace and power and may they watch over all whom they loved so dearly and also to the survivors, may you find complete healing. Much love🙏✨🕊️💞🇳🇬
Thank you very much for this documentary, as a Senegalese I thank you infinitely because so many Senegalese TVs do not have it like that They don't even have time for that while justice doesn't talk about it anymore
One can only imagine the trauma of going through something like this, it would be hearing and seeing the helpless children what really upsets me..Rest in peace to all who lost lives and hope the people who survived can get help for the trauma they witnessed..Tragic
To be an African, and in fact, the same subregion and yet stumbling on this through this documentary( 2 decades after) sums up the tragedy of the African. The powerful nations determine what you know and hear of. Oh Mama Africa! But we shall rise no matter the adversity. God's with Us🙏
This was 3 days away from my 1st birthday 😭😭😭 I couldn’t feel it back then. But I shared this tragedy with the victims family😭 Yalla nalene yalla yeureum khare lene aldiana firdawsi
😭😭😭 the memory of the capsize of Baton Le Jola still remains. Can't hold my tears back as a Senegambian 😭😭😭. So many people died 💔, may their souls continue to rest in peace.
Am from Senegal 🇸🇳 and I really appreciate the fact that other people know about JoOla's story 😔. I was 6old and still remember that day😔🙏.Everyone feel that strange sensation that something was going On and until 8 in the morning the Sky was dark😞 and the rest of the day was like FIRE🔥🔥🔥 WE had a very hot and Sunny day without knowing that hundreds of people died😔.A very Bad mood was floating everywhere even birds didnt make noises.I'll Never forget that in my entire life🙏. #RIP______JOOLA❤️🇸🇳
thank you to talk about this tragedy. I am senegalese man, it is really bitter this story, i weep for these people who had lost their life. We, senegalese people, must talk about this, for that the others people unterstand what is really pass in this year 2002 in senegal. God bless all victims of this tragedy.
This is the hardest documentary I have had to watch as a Gambian. I have had about the Batolo Jola but not as much detail as this, and I now understand why people find it difficult to explain.
Merci beaucoup à la BBC je suis un étudiant sénégalais et je ne comprenais rien de cet naufrage et c’est grâce à vous que j’ai eu un aperçut clair sur cette affaire Paix aux âmes des victimes
impressive work, when I was young I used to hear tragic stories about "Batong-Joola" through interpretation I thought it was a myth. but this little piece of evidence suggests that the tragedy happened not only to the people of Senegal but Gambians too were present at the tragic scene. so I'll pay my condolences to the #SeneGambian people at large for the lost. A big thumbs up for #BBC,Africa
I was too young but I remember my mom's friend crying that day😭 She've lost her sister.. May they souls rest in perfect peace🙏🏽 We not gonna forget anymore😭❤️🙏🏽🇸🇳
I was in high school when la Joola sunk 😭😭😭. I could fully remember that my mother avoided buying or cooking fish cuz all the fishes in our markets were dark . Dead bodies were picked from almost all the costal areas in western region (Sanyang,Tanjeh, Gunjur, ) etc . Bodies were discovered even around my school in the capital city (Banjul ) behind the christian grave yard . The authorities who had loaded that ship/ferry are heartless and neglected the lives of those people . It is the fault of the Senegalese government and they should compensate these victims. May God console the survivors Ameen
I can remember this day very vividly! 😢 And it’s a wound that still lives with us! And the bottom of it is human greed took away thousands for a reason that could have been avoided! Senegalese government must take the responsibility of answering to the demands of of survivors and families of the victims. Too much pain!
Thank you for the interesting Documentary! I heard about it before, but cannot recall when and where. This was really well put together. Greetings from Germany
This happened the year I started year 10 at GSS in Banjul. Few days after the incidents, bodies washed up on the shores of Banjul beaches just behind JC Faye. He took few bodies out of the water with parts missing. I remember one wearing a small black Casio watch which was still ticking despite days in the water. It’s a harrowing experience. Life is crazy. RIP to the victims. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
This send shivers to my spine i almost cried like it's happening right now. This is West Africa as well as Nigeria where I'm from and I'm hearing this for the first time
I remember hearing about his tragedy while living in southern california. As a technical diver we assumed that the government would recover everyone that did not escape if it was not too deep. After all the Kursk was recovered. Unfortunately USA news does not do any sort of follow-up. If this ship is sitting in 20 meters of water - 65 feet there is no reason that hard hat, closed circuit and open circuit divers could not have recovered all the people that did not escape. tragedy beyond compare.
I’m sad bu happy that bbc documented this history I’m Senegalese but I never see such information on ne details even in Senegalese tv. Thanx bbc And peace rest for those who losses theirs life.
West African and we heard this story either. Our journalists needs to do better and tell us OUR stories so we can implement solutions. I feel so sorry for the people of Senegal that this happened.
Thank you for covering this incident. It’s like only people there remember it’s was not talked about much internationally at the time and even in Senegal people did not talk a lot about it after a while. I was young at the time but I remember it was such a tragedy. And everyone new someone who was affected by it. I remember friend from school who lost her mother during this tragedy it has changed her life. Prayers for the victims and their families.
To think I could of been on this boat that day is overwhelming. This broke my heart, I lived in Gambia and travelled on this exact boat several times that exact year, going back and fourth from Gambia to Guinea Bissau. I was heart broken when my mum told me this happened 💔. Grateful God didn't let us travel that day also. My heart goes out to those families who lost loved ones, May the Lord comfort you and give you strength 🙏🏾
I was 6 when this tragedy happened I remember sitting next to my mom we were listening to the radio (she was nursing my little brother who was just few weeks old). I didn’t understand how tragic it was. I hope one day we’ll get the boat out of the water and allow the families of the victims have the closures they need 🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳
As a Gambian, I remember a 16 year old me seeing the capsized images of Le Joola on CNN a day after the tragedy …. It was and still sad .. to add insult to injury.. why is the Senegalese government restricting access to the wreckage?
Thank you for producing this video and telling the story of this tragedy. God bless the victims, may they rest in peace. God bless their families, may they receive comfort and solace.
Thank you for sharing the story of this horrifying tragedy. May the survivors find peace.
I am an African from Nigeria in the same region of West Africa and I am amazed that if I hadnt stumbled on this doccie today I might never had known of such a notable event or that it ever happened. I feel the words of the American who investigated it and the words given in the speech about the African attitude towards such things are well placed. Everything African is treated with apathy and nonchalance: countless avoidable wars rage on the continent but are never heard of till they are of some value to the Western World. Africans also have a sure dispensation to treating procedure, maintenance and security with a high degree of laxity and irresponsibility especially when they profit from it, thereby endangering their brothers and sisters. So sad. Rest in Peace, our beloved brothers and sisters.
Why is Africa's problems the Western Worlds? Why not have local solutions for our own problems. Starting with greed and corruption. Why start wars amongst ourselves and wait for "help/ aid" from the West?
🙏🏻
Preach !
Not only African, but also lots of part of the current Third World too.
You being a Nigerian, you knowing corruption better than anyone else can tell you about. But anyone going out on king Neptune’s waters without respecting or understanding it (not necessarily being a fool) should know.. He will feed any such to his fishes.
I’m senegalese born in casamance.
I was shocked to see coach Eli in this video.
He has been my professor in college for 3 years, i never knew he has lost his brother in such a tragic way.
I myself was supposed to take that boat with my aunt and my 2 years old cousin. We’ve already bought our tickets but the night before my cousin suddenly fell sick with a high fever and we decided to postponed our trip.
That afternoon we heard the news on the radio i remember i was playing with few friends when I heard my mom, aunt and sister screaming, crying and calling the names of the people they knew who took the boat that day.
It was very painful 😔
I am astonished he can smile though the pain. True fortitude.
Be brave man
😢
One if my friend is a survivor. The stories he narrate are heartwarming. He always goes in to tears when narrating what happened. My prayers to all those who lost their life's and love ones.
Ndeyssane.this is crazy bro and there is no responsible
Michel yaye gorrr !!!!
Ndeyssane! Dafa metti lool. 😢
AS a native cassamancais i want to personally want to thank the Gambian people especially the fishermen that rescued the survivors and went out to retrieve the bodies and buried them. May Allah rewards you all for your kindness.
I am from Kenya, and I am listening to this for the first time. It is one of the saddest stories I have heard. I remember Abdulaye Wade, the former senegal president. May the departed find peace. I hope one day justice will be served by lifting the boat and investigating what happened. I am so sorry to the survivors and those who lost their lives.
Hata mimi kutoka Kenya kaka
@@worriestrouble838 ni vizuri tumefuatilia sisi wote.
Mimi pia naskia mara ya kwanza and I can't imagine the horrific final moments of the victims 😢
@@adongoohando ni sad sana.
As a Gambian
The memory of The Joola still lingers with me. As a 10-year-old hearing the news, it was devastating and more heartbroken listening to the sorrowful Music collections from the wider Senegalese musicians.
This unfortunate tragedy cemented the Senegambian bond between the two counties.
Now that the very people who were part of the Wade Government should at least respect the wishes of the victims' families at least to comfort their broken hearts.
Dear Macky Sall,
The Joola deserve a befitting place in the historical records of Senegambia.
The documentary could have at least recognised the work of the Gambian Government at that time too. Glad that the very people that had rescued some of the survivors were included.
May The Almighty Lord's mercy be upon the departed souls and heals the broken hearts of their loved ones.
I was 6 and all I remember was the songs played on GRTS.. Le Joola was truly a tragic incident for The Gambia and Senegal. May the victims continue to rest in eternal peace
Yes so true was a kid too in Gambia 🇬🇲 heard about it we all mourn this
I refused to call it "The Africa's Titanic", this will be so Euro-centric. The Titanic wasn't for Africa, I will call it "Bateau La Joola", that's it's African name. Though it was so tragic, but we will call it "Le Joola", that's African.
So true
You are right it's not the Africa's Titanic ,its LE JOOLA like we love to call it
What a dumb post. The point is to compare it to a similar tragedy that the west can relate to so they can understand the scale, not to whitewash the tragedy.
Well said Sir. To add, we Africans may equally create a new lexicon "joola" to symbolically mean a massive human loss which will help us remember the lost of our brothers and sisters who passed away in that tragic maritime accident.
This is a British news station.. calling it Africas titanic makes people understand what they’re about to discover…. Go to the US or UK and ask people what “le joola” means and nobody will know. 😂I mean Jesus every little thing white people do people like you have a problem with it. If you’re so bothered with the title being “Euro-Centric” then don’t watch a European news station… racist fools
I am a Gambian and I was about 3/4years when it happened, everybody in both Senegal and Gambia where affected by the event but most people here still don't know the full story of what exactly even thou there are songs and all dedicated to it.. this is a very enlightening doc
Yes the incident happened in our Gambia territory. That fishing village is Gunjur Beach
Many people where found an buried in Gunjur
This is my first time hearing of this. I was born in March of 2002 in Nigeria, but I've never heard about this tragedy. My heart goes out to all the survivors and the people who have lost their loved ones.
It would be great if BBC Africa could do a documentary on the tragedy that happened in Lagos years ago, when bombs/explosives went off in a military cantonment in Lagos state, Nigeria, leading to the death of hundreds of people. I have only heard about this from my mother and from a detailed Twitter thread of one of the people lucky enough to survive. Thanks for your hard work
Thank's
Its not your fault. You where a Baby then
Im telling you Bro. I never heard about this Africa's Titanic till i stumbled on this video a few months ago.
I've been looking for a documentary about this for 10 years! So grateful to finally have something professionally done to research and remember ❤
Michel Diatta represent the word honor itself, many people would prefer to go and then try to continu their life and forget. Respect to Michel, may the souls of victims rest in peace.
It is the first time I hear about the Joola tragedy! The world outside Africa do not recognize Africa as equal… This is a strong evidence of ongoing discriminisation. So sad what happened, so sad that african leaders choose to love only themselves. May all those who lost their lives rest in peace and those who lost their dear ones find a way to tackle their sorrow. Thank you for this film. Sad but important.🕊
Think about what you just.....was it the worlds fault the boat capsized? You expect the world to know your story without you telling them? The reason you dont know this isn't the world's fault , this just showz you the ineffectiveness in africa....but you expect to be seen as as equal yet you want to be carried on free ride.
How many people in senegal knows about greenfell tower does that means senegale see Uk as inferior?
We shouldnt be expecting people to come see our stories/joys/sufferies we should be projecting but african countries are very good in stiffening there media and thats on our government and society.
The fact the boat is still as seas shows you our ineptitude.
Keep blaming the world and not accept responsibility
@@Akinwalesegun exactly Mr Akin. Twenty years later, Le Joola's wreckage is still inside the sea. The government even after been given grants didn't raise the wreckage. They automatically decided the best they could come up with is put the blame on the Captain who also died as a result of the tragedy
The Senegalese government didn't take responsibility; replaced the Joola, oh yeah but what does that change? According to a thread I saw yesterday, these things still happens: Boats being overloaded, people entering without tickets; so yeah no lessons were learnt
The American was right, the government were trying to cover things up. They couldn't prosecute anyone because they're also at fault
According to one of Le Monde Afrique 's vidéos I watched yesterday, only 1 of the boat's 2 engines were working, the boat stopped a couple times to load even more passengers. It was only meant for 500+ passengers, but as you can see had more than 2000 passengers were on board
The only woman surviver in this documentary said she never saw the Senegalese Navy, it was even the Gambian Navy who escorted them.
We Africans don't realize that we have to stop playing the victim's card and start taking responsibility
@@Akinwalesegun ikr 😂 this is SeneGambian story to tell not the World. I am Gambian and I heard about this when I was young but it’s not clear
@@Akinwaleseguni know about the tower. I am Kenyan
I have my uncle in this boat😢. As ma mom is a Senegalese. May their souls rest in perfect peace.Ameen
Was a sad moment for west Africa. Thank you BBC for sharing this to the world.
Another a good documentary for us, guys wake up let's show some love to BBC Africa ♥️❤️❤️
I'm happy this story was told! Never heard of it until today! Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families 🙏
I recently watched a video of this on The Raven's Eye you tube channel, it wasn't as long as this one but still good.
I’m Senegalese and I was 3 when this terrifying tragedy happened 😢 I grew up through those stories…may all those 1900 lives find peace ✌🏾 they will never be forgotten Insha’Allah
They were forgotten, sadly.
I am a Gambian and I was 14 when this tragedy happened. people were so confused because as Alieu Cisse said, one minute you hear it's not true, and 10 minutes later you get a different story, like oh yes, the boat did capsize. Very very sad. May they all rest in peace.
Even though I've just got to know this,heartfelt condolences to all innocent people who died on the joola.
I was four, we really didn’t know what happened. Do you remember the songs that were sang about the Batou La Jalo? That’s where I heard about it
I am Kenyan and i never heard about The Jaola until today.
This is very sad and i hope and pray that the Senegalese government can recover the wreckage to bring closure to the families of the victims.
What hurts most is the silence and negligence of the Senegalese government
Even worse the fact that we forgot pretty much the teachings of this tragedy in our common transports
BBC Africa is doing a great job I must say. Thanks
As today marks 20 years after this horrific tragedy, I’m just disgusted that no Senegalese or Gambian government truly talked about this today! The government never did justice for the Victims and now doesn’t even remember them! As an African, am just ashamed! Thank you BBC
What Gambia government should do about it? Is the Gambia government owned the ship?
In fact do you know the hard working Gambians did about it?
Don't you know is Gambians those remove those people from water and buried them?
Probably you don't know shit about it
@@laminyaffa3296 respect yourself! If it happened in Gambian territory, what’s wrong with Gambians holding a memorial for the dead Senegalese with the cordial relationship they share! You dumb fool. Respect yourself
I am Gambian, at a very young age I used to here people make songs to keep the Batou La Jola alive. I was four when this happened. This is the first time I am hearing the actual story just heard bits of it but it was spoken about in Gambia. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough resources to go to the water and investigate etc but it was very sad
My Dad has told me about this. Two of his friends died in the Joola. One of his friends borrowed a bag and the other one a tie. He said he cried all day when he heard about what happened. Another one of my relatives also died. I hope everyone who passed may Rest In Peace.
My condolences to you my Senegalese sister. A tragic day it was indeed!
I'm a Senegalese...they said at least 1800 was perished but it's all about a lie more 2000 drowned....
@@diasporaexpress9799 thank you sister
Thank for uploading this on UA-cam, BBC. I saw part of it this morning when I turned on the TV, but I wanted to see the rest of it later since I was unavailable to watch the full documentary when it was on. I had never heard of the tragedy and I liked this documentary, I also know little about Africa and would like to learn more. I will watch the rest of this.
Thanks brother
C'est la tragédie la plus triste de l histoire de l Afrique 😭😭😭😭il a fait 1863 morts
What an impressive documentary ! Thank you to BBC for putting this together. I think people referring to the Joola as "Africa's Titanic" shouldn't be a point of discussion. The tragedy didn't hit international headlines, so I guess to raise more awareness about it, Mr Wiley used this phrase for his book's title. Our local authorities have been passive for 20 years. That should be a reason for serious concern.
im an australian and i dont ever remember hearing about this horrific event. i was completely shocked and devastated for the ones that died and their families in this preventable trajedy. my heart and love goes out to the brave survivors, the families and those fishermen who had to witness such trajedy. the government will never raise the joola because then they would have to explain what happened. the government and those in charge of the joola on that trajic day are very much to blame. greed wins over life. shame on all of them. to the survivors who shared what happened thankyou for telling your story. my love goes out to you. R.I.P to all who died
I m senegalese and yes shame on them. Thanks you for this lovely words
First time I am hearing about this tragedy. A shame, really, that such a disaster could happen and not been properly highlighted to serve as a warning aboutcorruption, greed, lack of safety measures and negligence to the world. From Nairobi, Kenya, condolences to our Senegalese brothers and sisters , may the memories of the departed never be forgotten.
The worst is they had the nerve to attribute responsibility of the disaster to the capitain that died in it…
This is so heartbreaking 💔; I hadn’t heard of this tragedy until now. Thank you for taking the time to work on this.
It's hard to fathom how a tragedy of this magnitude has gone unnoticed by the world media. People continue to talk about the Titanic like it happened only yesterday. Many documentaries and films have been made. But a similar tragedy that claimed more lives has been little spoken of. Even Africans a border away have never heard of this human disaster. It's one thing to endure apathy and indifference from the world around you, but to be discarded by your own flesh and blood and treated as though you never existed, is something too sad for words to describe.
After stumbling on this story. I am filled with so much sadness. May God give comfort to those suffering for the loss of their loved ones.
Two of my cousins my dad's two sisters each one of their sons passed away in this tragic accident. they went to cassamance where i was born for summer vacation and were going back to the capital dakar and the boat sank. I grew up with one of those cousins his name is Sidy, we used to fight and argue a lot as children, but i love him and missed him greatly.
Un grand merci à BBC en tant que sénégalais franchement c’est le plus triste histoire 😢qu’ils reposent en paix 😢
This is beyond tragic 😭 😭😭😭.May the souls of all that lost their lives continue to Rest In Peace 🕊️ 🕊️🕊️
This is a lost for both The Gambia 🇬🇲 and Senegal 🇸🇳 I remember some of my senegalese neighbors that lost relatives 😭😭😭 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Imagine this happened in 2002 and I'm only hearing of it now. 20 years later! 😭😭
The fact that l never heard about this tragedy until today speaks volumes of how we let our own people down as Africans.. It was just regarded as one of those unfortunate incidents and the govt kept it pushing... what a horror. MTSRIEP
This reminds me of the Philippines. May God have mercy on those who do not bare the skintones to make them valuable. My Lord, help those who have no one to lean on, help the outcasts. Ameen
it's worst than dona paz bro.. they lied to us telling 1800 perished but more that 2000 drowned
Thank you BBC...please keep on raising awareness and tell African stories to the rest of the world 🤎
I was 17 that Time. I Lost a Friend a schoolmate he was sitting just behind me at school. Rest in peace Adrien djadja. It was so sad. May their soul rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏
I’m an African American and I need someone from Senegal to tell me about this situation and the government. After watching this, it looks like a white man in The US cares more about the Senegalese than the Senegalese government. I don’t know what it will take to change things, but it is heartbreaking to keep hearing stories of similar failures by African leadership.
Are you still here ? I Will tell you about that
That was the saddest school opening the next Monday. Every Senegalese knew someone, lost someone and perhaps no responsibility no accountability held. Our neighbour did lost all his children and wife, our friends their moms …. So many faced pressure from the officials and they could send help they did nothing and as always it was fate, God’s will and not their negligence
I remember back in the days I was 12 years old in senegal. one of my teachers was in the boat and the husband of another one was also in the boat. Truth is, there were so many lives lost that you would know somebody, or somebody who know somebody who was in the boat
As a Senegalese, i had heard how a bunch of Gambian fishermen went to the rescue. So grateful for that brother state, rip to the victims. I don't remember knowing anyone at the time whose family was not impacted
Tellement vraie on a tous perdu un proche ou une connaissance dans cette tragédie
I'm from Botswana and have never heard of this tragedy before...thank you for this .indeed is was worse than titanic. I'm really saddened by this great loss of life because of greed...
lorsqu'on est un journaliste qui s'occupe de la vie privée des gens, lorsqu'on s'active au quotidien à mettre en lumière des Nabou Dash, Kaliphone et autre, on doit vraiment se sentir misérable face au travail d'enquête o combien utile et humaniste des journalistes qui ont produit cette vidéo...
Vraiment voilà un vrai reportage
Nos journalistes n'ont pas la culture de faire de faire des documentaires. Et c'est déplorable
De surcroît qu'il ne sont meme pas du Sénégal....
I agree with your overall sentiment, but it all depends on what you’re looking to get out of this documentary. If you think this story deserves worldwide attention since more people died from it than the titanic, then titling the documentary “Africa’s Titanic” is a strategic marketing tool that will garner attention from many throughout the world that may not have cared at all otherwise. I know it feels uncomfortable to realize that the titanic is the main reason more people may care but I don’t think it’s a bad tactic if it helps achieve the desired outcome. But if you don’t care about the story getting attention on a worldwide scale, then your opinion is totally valid. Again, your critique makes sense, I just want you to consider the bigger picture if the goal is to get more people around the world to learn about this story. If that’s the goal, you must forget about small details such as the title and focus on the big picture. I hope that makes sense but let me know if you disagree as I’m always open to new ideas that changed my mind for the better. God bless!
What an unimaginable tragedy. The hardest documentary I've ever had to watch. Rip and everyone who has to live with these memories. 🙏🙏🙏
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This is alot of pain. All my heart, prayers and love goes out to Senegal as a country, but especially to the families and closest friends of the victims.May their souls find rest in peace and power and may they watch over all whom they loved so dearly and also to the survivors, may you find complete healing. Much love🙏✨🕊️💞🇳🇬
thank you bro
Never heard of this terrible news before, sending love and comfort to my brothers in Senegal 🇸🇳 ❤🇿🇦
Thank you very much for this documentary, as a Senegalese I thank you infinitely because so many Senegalese TVs do not have it like that They don't even have time for that while justice doesn't talk about it anymore
One can only imagine the trauma of going through something like this, it would be hearing and seeing the helpless children what really upsets me..Rest in peace to all who lost lives and hope the people who survived can get help for the trauma they witnessed..Tragic
Wow, absolutely mindblowing! Thank you for exposing me to a piece of history that has clearly been neglected.
1800 people died . 20 years on you are not forgotten. May all of you rest in peace.
no they lied to us more than 2000 perished in this tragedy
To be an African, and in fact, the same subregion and yet stumbling on this through this documentary( 2 decades after) sums up the tragedy of the African.
The powerful nations determine what you know and hear of.
Oh Mama Africa!
But we shall rise no matter the adversity. God's with Us🙏
This was 3 days away from my 1st birthday 😭😭😭 I couldn’t feel it back then. But I shared this tragedy with the victims family😭
Yalla nalene yalla yeureum khare lene aldiana firdawsi
😭😭😭 the memory of the capsize of Baton Le Jola still remains. Can't hold my tears back as a Senegambian 😭😭😭. So many people died 💔, may their souls continue to rest in peace.
Am from Senegal 🇸🇳 and I really appreciate the fact that other people know about JoOla's story 😔. I was 6old and still remember that day😔🙏.Everyone feel that strange sensation that something was going On and until 8 in the morning the Sky was dark😞 and the rest of the day was like FIRE🔥🔥🔥 WE had a very hot and Sunny day without knowing that hundreds of people died😔.A very Bad mood was floating everywhere even birds didnt make noises.I'll Never forget that in my entire life🙏.
#RIP______JOOLA❤️🇸🇳
Woooow
I was 10 when it happened and I remember how people stopped eating fish for a very long time 😢😢😢😢
thank you to talk about this tragedy. I am senegalese man, it is really bitter this story, i weep for these people who had lost their life. We, senegalese people, must talk about this, for that the others people unterstand what is really pass in this year 2002 in senegal. God bless all victims of this tragedy.
I am completely heartbroken right now... 😢 It is indeed beyond tragic!
May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace.
Thank you for sharing.
This is the hardest documentary I have had to watch as a Gambian. I have had about the Batolo Jola but not as much detail as this, and I now understand why people find it difficult to explain.
We know about early 1900's titanic but we don't know about this tragedy,we Africans aren't taken serious as human beings.
No, we Africans don’t take ourselves seriously. A white man is telling our story not us
Merci beaucoup à la BBC je suis un étudiant sénégalais et je ne comprenais rien de cet naufrage et c’est grâce à vous que j’ai eu un aperçut clair sur cette affaire
Paix aux âmes des victimes
Thank you to the guy who made this investigation and bbc
impressive work, when I was young I used to hear tragic stories about "Batong-Joola" through interpretation I thought it was a myth.
but this little piece of evidence suggests that the tragedy happened not only to the people of Senegal but Gambians too were present at the tragic scene.
so I'll pay my condolences to the #SeneGambian people at large for the lost.
A big thumbs up for #BBC,Africa
Que ce fut difficile dans notre quartier une famille entière y est resté 😭😭😭paix à leurs âmes que dieu protège le Sénégal 🇸🇳 et l Afrique ❤
C’est vraiment triste walahi 💔
Am from this region, the Gambia. I was 10years by then and could vividly recall when the news arrive to us that a Senegalese boat has capsized .
I had heard so many stories about this tragedy, but now from the survivors makes me wanna weep 😢.
I hope Allah grants the victims a place in Jannah ❤
lessons are not even learned from this tragedy. justice for the joola. rest in peace ...
I was too young but I remember my mom's friend crying that day😭 She've lost her sister.. May they souls rest in perfect peace🙏🏽 We not gonna forget anymore😭❤️🙏🏽🇸🇳
oh
what a tragic incident.
may all the departed souls that have lost their lives in the Joola boat capsized rest in perfect peace.
aameen
It is terrible that a sinking of a vessel with that many casualties occurred and yet barely made the news.
I was so young when I heard this tragic. I was 8years old. May all their soul rest in peace my neighbour family senegal.
This is the first time I've heard of this tragedy May their souls rest in peace -- the survivors are courageous recounting their horrific experience.
I am Senegalese this incident happened when I was 8 but I never know about all this informations 😭😭😭. Thanks BBC
I was in high school when la Joola sunk 😭😭😭. I could fully remember that my mother avoided buying or cooking fish cuz all the fishes in our markets were dark . Dead bodies were picked from almost all the costal areas in western region (Sanyang,Tanjeh, Gunjur, ) etc . Bodies were discovered even around my school in the capital city (Banjul ) behind the christian grave yard . The authorities who had loaded that ship/ferry are heartless and neglected the lives of those people . It is the fault of the Senegalese government and they should compensate these victims.
May God console the survivors Ameen
I can remember this day very vividly! 😢
And it’s a wound that still lives with us!
And the bottom of it is human greed took away thousands for a reason that could have been avoided! Senegalese government must take the responsibility of answering to the demands of of survivors and families of the victims.
Too much pain!
Thank you for the interesting Documentary! I heard about it before, but cannot recall when and where. This was really well put together. Greetings from Germany
This happened the year I started year 10 at GSS in Banjul. Few days after the incidents, bodies washed up on the shores of Banjul beaches just behind JC Faye. He took few bodies out of the water with parts missing. I remember one wearing a small black Casio watch which was still ticking despite days in the water. It’s a harrowing experience. Life is crazy. RIP to the victims. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
In Gunjur too... It was sad... I sit at my beach Bar everyday shoes an cloths wash offshore
This send shivers to my spine i almost cried like it's happening right now. This is West Africa as well as Nigeria where I'm from and I'm hearing this for the first time
I have never heard of this tragedy. Sorry to our dear Senegalese brothers and sisters..🇰🇪Kenya
I remember hearing about his tragedy while living in southern california. As a technical diver we assumed that the government would recover everyone that did not escape if it was not too deep. After all the Kursk was recovered. Unfortunately USA news does not do any sort of follow-up. If this ship is sitting in 20 meters of water - 65 feet there is no reason that hard hat, closed circuit and open circuit divers could not have recovered all the people that did not escape. tragedy beyond compare.
Because senegal is acorrupt country where the government doesnt care of its citizens, they re too busy siphoning the money
I’m sad bu happy that bbc documented this history I’m Senegalese but I never see such information on ne details even in Senegalese tv. Thanx bbc And peace rest for those who losses theirs life.
Rip to my people that passed on that day. It was the saddest day that everyone talked about and very quiet..
West African and we heard this story either. Our journalists needs to do better and tell us OUR stories so we can implement solutions. I feel so sorry for the people of Senegal that this happened.
Thank you for covering this incident. It’s like only people there remember it’s was not talked about much internationally at the time and even in Senegal people did not talk a lot about it after a while. I was young at the time but I remember it was such a tragedy. And everyone new someone who was affected by it. I remember friend from school who lost her mother during this tragedy it has changed her life.
Prayers for the victims and their families.
Rest in peace ousmane thiarre he was a good friend of mine
Une histoire qui nous laisse toujours avec des larmes aux yeux. Yalle nalene yalla har adiana
Amine
To think I could of been on this boat that day is overwhelming. This broke my heart, I lived in Gambia and travelled on this exact boat several times that exact year, going back and fourth from Gambia to Guinea Bissau. I was heart broken when my mum told me this happened 💔. Grateful God didn't let us travel that day also. My heart goes out to those families who lost loved ones, May the Lord comfort you and give you strength 🙏🏾
My god you are beautiful 😍
I'm curious. How did you use it to get between Gambia and Guinea-Bissau? Where did you get on and off? 🤔
I were 7years and 4 months old this day...but I realy cryed and actualy I cry this tragedy
My sympathy to the bereaved families, I feel your pain with grief.
The guy that exchanged his place for the lady will forever be grateful he forgot his things home
Never heard of this ! Thank you BBC!
I was 6 when this tragedy happened I remember sitting next to my mom we were listening to the radio (she was nursing my little brother who was just few weeks old). I didn’t understand how tragic it was.
I hope one day we’ll get the boat out of the water and allow the families of the victims have the closures they need 🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳
As a Gambian, I remember a 16 year old me seeing the capsized images of Le Joola on CNN a day after the tragedy …. It was and still sad .. to add insult to injury.. why is the Senegalese government restricting access to the wreckage?
Thank you for producing this video and telling the story of this tragedy. God bless the victims, may they rest in peace. God bless their families, may they receive comfort and solace.
L’histoire de Michel Diatta m’a vraiment touché 😭😭😭😭😭😭🥺
Unforgettable 💔🕊️
This will go down to history as one of the tragedies that left scars among Africans. Prayers to all those who died in this. 🙏
Thanks for this would never have know about this tragedy may they rest in peace