Officials said Sunday that seven people are dead and half a dozen others were critically injured after a gangway that’s part of a ferry dock collapsed on Georgia’s Sapelo Island on Saturday. Sapelo Island, on the Atlantic Coast, is about 72 miles south of Savannah.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Walter Rabon said Sunday morning that the aluminum ferry gangway gave way before 4 p.m. in a “catastrophic failure” with at least 40 people on the gangway at the time, attending an annual cultural event on historic Sapelo Island off the coast of Georgia. Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources, said a celebration of Gullah Geechee culture was underway on the island when the collapse took place.

DNR Commissioner Rabon said during a news conference that three other people were critically injured and remained hospitalized Sunday afternoon, adding that among those killed was Charles Houston, the chaplain for both the DNR and the Georgia State Patrol. Rabon said the aluminum gangway was installed at the Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island in November 2021, and gave way in the middle under the weight of people boarding the ferry to leave the island.  He added that the gangway was supported by two standing platforms and that at the time of the incident, the ferry Annemarie was moored to a stationary dock next to one of the platforms. Said Rabon: “One end of the gangway was in the water. One end of the gangway on the landward side was still attached. It is a structural failure… There should be very, very little maintenance to an aluminum gangway like that, but we’ll see what the investigation unfolds. The initial findings of our investigation at this point show the catastrophic failure of the gangway causing it to collapse.” Rabon said at least 20 people ended up in the water and another 20 jumped in to try to save people: “Their quick response and action saved additional lives yesterday afternoon.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamie Emery said that the Coast Guard was part of an active search for survivors Saturday night, with two Coast Guard air crews, including one attached to a MH-65 helicopter, being deployed

The Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society organized its annual Cultural Day celebration on the island, calling it “our most celebrated event.” The society said in a statement: “The Sapelo Island community is grateful for the outpouring of love and support, and we ask that you join us in praying for the families of those who were impacted by this tragedy.” The centuries-old culture has been maintained by descendants of West and Central African slaves along the coast of the Southeastern United States who were able to retain many of their Indigenous African traditions.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said on X: “deeply saddened by the awful news out of Sapelo Island. A tragic end to a joyous celebration. Praying for the loved ones of those we sadly lost and those still missing. The heart of every Georgian is with the Gullah Geechee community & the people of Sapelo Island tonight.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement: “Marty, the girls, and I are heartbroken by today’s tragedy on Sapelo Island. As state and local first responders continue to work this active scene, we ask that all Georgians join us in praying for those lost, for those still in harm’s way, and for their families.”

The White House also released a statement from President Joe Biden: “We are heartbroken to learn about the ferry dock walkway collapse on Georgia’s Sapelo Island. What should have been a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history instead turned into tragedy and devastation. Jill and I mourn those who lost their lives, and we pray for the injured and anyone still missing. We are also grateful to the first responders at the scene. My team is in touch with state and local officials, and we stand ready to provide any assistance that would be helpful to the community.”

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a separate statement that she was also “praying for all those who were killed or injured in the collapse of the ferry dock walkway on Georgia’s Sapelo Island. Our administration is in close touch with state and local officials, and we have offered any federal support the community might need. As always, we are deeply grateful for the heroism of our first responders .. In the face of this tragedy, we will continue to celebrate and honor the history, culture and resilience of the Gullah Geechee.”

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