Seven Dead in Sapelo Island Dock Collapse

A gangway collapse on Sapelo Island, Georgia, resulted in seven deaths and left three others hospitalized during a busy Cultural Day festival celebrating the Gullah-Geechee community. Up to 40 people were on the gangway when it suddenly snapped, sending at least 20 individuals into the turbulent Atlantic waters. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where island residents and bystanders formed human chains to rescue survivors and recover bodies. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has initiated an investigation into the structural failure of the dock, which was rebuilt in 2021 and inspected just months prior. Commissioner Walter Rabon noted that the collapse was a 'catastrophic failure' and emphasized the need for further safety evaluations. The tragedy unfolded during one of the island's busiest days, attended by an estimated 700 visitors.