Burials of sea tragedy victims

One week after Senegal's worst sea tragedy, burials of the victims started, while the findings of investigations into what caused 'Le Joola' to capsize off the coast of The Gambia, are awaited. In Ziguinchor, the main town of Casamance region, where more than 1,000 people boarded the vessel, humanitarian agencies have buried 41 bodies. Three more were expected from Dakar by plane and would be buried in a cemetery designed especially for the occasion, sources told IRIN on Thursday. The bodies were being received by agencies including the Senegalese Red Cross and rescue units from the French army, the sources added. Burials had also began in the capital, Dakar, which was the vessel's final destination, Red Cross sources said. The bodies of those victims, who because of decomposition could not be claimed by relatives, will be buried in one of four designated mass cemeteries: two in Ziguinchor, one in The Gambia and one in Dakar. 'Le Joola', which had been grounded for months, sailed with more 1,000 people on board - twice its authorized capacity of 550 - and luggage. Ziguinchor residents, who say they were at the dock on that fatal day, told IRIN on Thursday that the boat sailed off with "a lean". Humanitarian agencies were also offering post-traumatic assistance to families and relatives by "telling them the truth so they accept the truth", sources said. Some 64 people survived the accident. Rescue teams have virtually stopped search operations. The transport and equipment minister and the armed forces minister resigned on Tuesday amidst growing criticism aimed at the government. The ferry was administered by both ministries.