By A devastating incident unfolded on Georgia’s Sapelo Island when a ferry dock gangway collapsed during an annual cultural celebration, resulting in at least seven fatalities and multiple injuries. The tragedy occurred on Saturday as crowds gathered for the fall Cultural Day event, a celebration of the island’s historic Gullah-Geechee community of Black slave descendants.
According to Tyler Jones, spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the gangway connecting the outer dock to the onshore dock suddenly gave way, plunging at least 20 people into the water. The cause of the collapse remains unknown, with Jones stating, “There was no collision. The thing just collapsed. We don’t know why.”
In response to the emergency, a multi-agency rescue operation was launched, involving the U.S. Coast Guard, McIntosh County Fire Department, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Helicopters and boats equipped with side-scanning sonar were deployed in the search efforts. Eight individuals were transported to hospitals, with at least six in critical condition.
The incident has deeply affected the tight-knit Hogg Hummock community on Sapelo Island. Roger Lotson, the only Black member of the McIntosh County Board of Commissioners, emphasized the close bonds within the community, stating, “Everyone is family, and everyone knows each other. In any tragedy, especially like this, they are all one.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences, saying he and his family were “heartbroken by today’s tragedy on Sapelo Island.” President Joe Biden also offered federal assistance and noted the tragic irony of the event, saying, “What should have been a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history instead turned into tragedy and devastation.”
The collapse occurred during Cultural Day, an annual event highlighting the unique heritage of Hogg Hummock, a community founded after the Civil War by former slaves. This small enclave, like other Gullah-Geechee communities along the southeastern coast, has preserved much of its African heritage due to its relative isolation.
This tragedy comes at a time when Hogg Hummock is already facing challenges. The community has been battling against zoning changes that could threaten their ability to maintain their ancestral lands. Residents fear that allowing larger homes could lead to tax increases, potentially forcing them to sell land their families have held for generations.
