The MV Le Joola was a Senegalese ferry that operated primarily between Ziguinchor and Dakar, transporting passengers and freight along the coastal regions of West Africa. On September 26, 2002, the ferry was en route to Dakar when it encountered severe weather conditions as it crossed the ocean near the Gambian coast. The vessel was significantly overcrowded, carrying over 1,800 passengers in a ship built for only about 550. This severe overloading, combined with rough maritime conditions, placed the ferry at extreme risk.

As conditions worsened, the ferry began to list heavily and eventually capsized. Witness accounts described frantic attempts by passengers to reach safety as the vessel sank. Rescue operations were complicated by the challenging weather and the sheer number of people aboard. The Gambia's government and the Senegalese government coordinated efforts for search and rescue operations. Despite their bravery, the overwhelming scale of the disaster led to the grim realization that over 1,000 lives were lost, with many remains unrecovered.

In the aftermath of the capsizing, investigations revealed critical safety shortcomings, such as regulatory failures and the lack of adequate life-saving equipment. The event sparked outrage over ferry safety policies and regulations across West African countries. The tragedy underscored the need for reforms in maritime safety practices to prevent such a disaster from occurring in the future.