At least seven people were killed on Georgia’s Sapelo Island after a ferry dock collapsed during a celebration of its Gullah-Geechee community of Black slave descendants. Multiple individuals were injured and taken to hospitals as authorities from various departments, including the US Coast Guard, conducted search and rescue operations. The collapse of the gangway at the dock resulted in people falling into the water, with officials confirming seven fatalities and continuing the search for individuals.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, but it is believed that at least 20 people were on the gangway at the time of the incident. Among the deceased was a chaplain for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Sapelo Island, located 60 miles south of Savannah, is accessible by boat from the mainland and is home to a small community known as Hogg Hummock, founded by former enslaved people from a cotton plantation.
Cultural Day, an annual event highlighting the island’s Gullah-Geechee community, showcases the rich African heritage of residents who have retained traditions such as cast-net fishing and basket weaving. Descendants of enslaved populations living on these coastal islands, known as Gullah or Geechee, have preserved their unique dialect and skills due to their isolation from the mainland. The tragic incident on Sapelo Island serves as a reminder of the resilience and cultural significance of these historic communities.
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