At least seven individuals have tragically lost their lives following the collapse of a ferry dock in Sapelo Island, Georgia, on Saturday, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 PM local time as attendees gathered for a cultural celebration at Marsh Landing Dock.
Reports indicate that roughly 20 individuals fell into the water when the gangway connecting the ferry to the dock gave way. Emergency services have been dispatched, and multiple victims have been transported to local hospitals while search and rescue operations continue.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences, stating he and his wife, Jill, mourn those who lost their lives and are praying for the injured and those still unaccounted for. The cause of the dock’s collapse is currently unknown; it linked the outer ferry dock to an onshore platform.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp conveyed his heartbreak over the tragedy, urging prayers for the victims and their families. He has also directed state resources to support ongoing search, rescue, and recovery efforts.
In a related statement, Biden’s administration has pledged to offer assistance to the affected community. The cultural event, which celebrates the heritage of the Hogg Hummock community—a group of Black residents descended from former enslaved individuals—was intended to honor Gullah-Geechee culture. However, it instead turned into a somber occasion following the disaster.
Sapelo Island, steeped in history, is famously home to descendants of newly freed slaves from coastal Georgia plantations who settled there after the U.S. Civil War. The incident has raised concerns and triggered an investigation, with local authorities securing the site to ensure further safety.
