SAPELO ISLAND, GA – A festive occasion turned into a somber tragedy Saturday when the collapse of a ferry dock on Georgia’s Sapelo Island resulted in at least seven fatalities and multiple injuries, according to officials.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. at Marsh Landing Dock when the gangway collapsed, sending about 20 people into the surrounding waters, as reported by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Extensive rescue operations involving air and sea teams were promptly launched to locate survivors and recover victims.
The calamity occurred as a unique cultural festival drew residents and visitors to celebrate the island’s vibrant Gullah-Geechee community, descendants of former enslaved Africans. Despite the large attendance, the cause of the gangway’s collapse remains unknown, said Tyler Jones, a DNR representative. Specialists are set to investigate the structural failure starting Sunday.
Among the deceased is a chaplain associated with the Georgia DNR, driving home the personal impact of this disaster on those involved.
Though only accessible by boat, Sapelo Island is known for its historical richness as it lies south of Savannah.
Cultural Day on Sapelo Island annually highlights Hogg Hummock, a small enclave of Black residents whose roots trace back to slaves from a local plantation. Commissioner Roger Lotson, the island’s only Black county commissioner, noted the tight-knit community’s deep connections, describing them as united in grief amid this tragedy.
As residents manage the immediate aftermath, they confront long-term fears of cultural erosion due to development pressures and ongoing disputes over zoning laws, seeking to protect their historic community’s legacy for future generations.