The Medusa shipwreck

The Medusa shipwreck occurred in 1816 when the French naval vessel Medusa ran aground off the coast of Senegal during a storm. Due to poor planning and leadership, many passengers and crew were stranded on a makeshift raft or stranded on the wreck. Over two weeks, exposure, starvation, and violence caused the deaths of around 150 people, including some resorting to cannibalism. The incident highlighted failures in maritime safety and leadership and gained international attention, inspiring famous artwork and writings that criticized human negligence and the dire consequences of hubris at sea.