Seven Killed in Georgia Dock Collapse During Cultural Festival

The tragic incident on Sapelo Island highlighted the lack of emergency resources and sparked investigations into the gangway's structural failure.

The aluminum gangway at Sapelo Island's ferry dock collapsed, sending 20 people into the water and resulting in seven fatalities.
The victims were identified as elderly individuals attending the Cultural Day festival celebrating Gullah Geechee heritage.
Bystanders and island residents quickly responded to rescue efforts, forming human chains and providing first aid before official help arrived.
The dock, rebuilt in 2021 and last inspected in December 2023, is under investigation by state authorities to determine the cause of the failure.
The incident has reignited concerns about the island's limited emergency infrastructure, which residents had previously raised in legal actions.