At least seven people have been killed after part of a ferry dock collapsed on Sapelo Island, Georgia, on Saturday, according to local authorities.
The collapse occurred at the Marsh Landing Dock around 4:30 p.m. local time (20:30 GMT) as crowds gathered for a cultural celebration.
Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, which operates the dock, reported that at least 20 people fell into the water when the gangway collapsed.
The dock connected the ferry boarding area to the shore, and it is still unclear what caused the structure to give way.
Search and rescue operations are underway, with multiple individuals being taken to the hospital for treatment.
Local authorities have secured the area, and an investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences, stating that he and First Lady Jill Biden “mourn the lives lost” and are praying for the injured and those still unaccounted for.
“We stand ready to provide any and all assistance that would be helpful to the community,” Biden added.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also responded to the tragedy, describing his and his family’s heartbreak.
He called for prayers “for those lost, for those still in harm’s way, and for their families” and has deployed state resources to assist in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts.
The collapse occurred during a celebration of the island’s Hogg Hummock community, a small, historically Black population descended from formerly enslaved people.
The event was meant to honor Gullah-Geechee culture, a unique heritage rooted in the descendants of enslaved African Americans who settled in coastal areas from North Carolina to Florida.
Hogg Hummock, located on Sapelo Island, is home to a few dozen residents who continue to preserve their cultural history.
What should have been a joyous celebration, President Biden noted, “instead turned into tragedy and devastation.”
Local representatives, including Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter, have expressed their grief and promised ongoing support for the island community during this difficult time.
Sapelo Island is accessible only by boat, adding complexity to the ongoing recovery efforts.
The investigation into the dock’s collapse continues as authorities work to understand what led to the fatal incident.
