A gangway collapse on Sapelo Island, Georgia, resulted in at least seven believed dead and multiple injuries on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred during the annual Cultural Day celebration organized by the Sepalo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society, which celebrates Gullah Geechee culture. The US Coast Guard and state and local agencies responded to the collapse, with search and rescue missions ongoing to find survivors. A reunification center was set up at a nearby Baptist church, and federal resources, including support for the Gullah Geechee community, were promised by President Joe Biden. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences and asked for prayers for the affected families. The Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident which occurred on a gangway used by public ferry vessels, the University of Georgia’s research trawler, and small boats. Sapelo Island, located about 72 miles south of Savannah on the Atlantic Coast, is a historic site of Gullah Geechee culture, a tradition preserved by descendants of African slaves in the Southeastern United States. The impact of the collapse on celebrants and the extent of injuries is still being determined as emergency responders continue their efforts.
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Seven fatalities confirmed following gangway collapse in Georgia
