The following news is from the BBC website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2285092.stm

Friday, 27 September, 2002, 14:34 GMT 15:34 UK
Hundreds missing as Senegal ferry sinks


Hundreds of people are feared drowned after a Senegalese passenger ferry
capsized off the coast of Gambia in a violent storm.
The ferry, the Joola, was travelling between the southern Senegalese region
of Casamance and the capital Dakar when it capsized before midnight on
Thursday.

 At least 41 people bodies have already been recovered and more than 30
survivors are said to have been plucked from the water.

It is unclear how many passengers were on the ferry, but officials say the
figure could be close to 800.

The state-owned ferry was equipped to carry a maximum of about 550 people,
according to reports, but Senegal's prime minister, Mame Madior Boye, said
nearly 800 people were listed as being on board.

'Repairs'

"The boat capsized, rolling onto its side under the combined impact of
strong gusts of winds and rain," the prime minister said.

"For the moment, the state of the ship has not been called into question."

Unconfirmed reports say the ferry may have suffered engine failure.

The ferry had resumed service only a few weeks ago, after undergoing
repairs.
Families of passengers on board the ferry assembled at the quayside at
Dakar and Zinguinchor, capital of Casamance.

Security forces were dispatched to hold back grieving and angry people.
Gambian and Senegalese naval and civilian boats have launched a joint
rescue operation.

The government has declared three days of national mourning.

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