Seven people are believed to be dead after a gangway collapsed on Sapelo Island, Georgia, during a Gullah Geechee cultural celebration. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reported that at least 20 people fell into the water when the structure gave way. The U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies were involved in search and rescue efforts, with two Coast Guard air crews deployed to the scene. The incident is under investigation, and a reunification center was set up at a nearby church.
The collapse occurred during an annual Cultural Day celebration organized by the Sepalo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences and offered federal resources to assist the affected individuals and the Gullah Geechee community. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also expressed his sadness over the tragedy and asked for prayers for those impacted.
The centuries-old Gullah Geechee culture, maintained by descendants of African slaves, was being celebrated at the time of the collapse. The dock and gangway are used by public ferry vessels, research trawlers, and small boats. Sapelo Island, located 72 miles south of Savannah on the Atlantic Coast, attracts visitors for its historical and cultural significance. The Coast Guard continues to search for survivors, and the incident is currently not in a recovery phase.
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