Georgia Dock Collapse During Festival Leaves 7 Dead, Locals Rush to Aid Survivors

A tragic dock collapse occurred on Sapelo Island, Georgia, during the annual Cultural Day festival, which celebrates the island’s Gullah-Geechee heritage. As visitors boarded a ferry, the aluminum gangway collapsed, plunging at least 20 people into the water. Island residents quickly formed a human chain to rescue survivors, while others wrapped bodies in blankets. Seven people died, and three remain hospitalized. The islanders, long critical of limited emergency resources, highlighted the lack of a promised helicopter pad. Investigations into the cause of the gangway failure are underway, and the event has left the community devastated. The dock had been rebuilt in 2021 following a legal settlement over accessibility issues.

Source: AP News