Seven people, including six in their 70s and one woman in her 90s, were killed in a gangway collapse on Sapelo Island, Georgia, during a celebration of Gullah Geechee history. Approximately 700 people were on the island when the incident occurred, causing around 20 individuals to fall into the water. Witnesses, including state employees, attempted to rescue those in need. An investigation into the collapse is ongoing, with officials considering overcrowding as a possible cause.
Among the victims was Charles L. Houston, a Department of Natural Resources chaplain who was known for his dedication to preserving the Gullah Geechee heritage. Authorities described the collapse as a “catastrophic failure” and stated that the structure had undergone regular inspections despite being recently rebuilt in 2021.
Survivors who required medical attention were taken to hospitals, with three remaining hospitalized in critical condition. The U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement conducted search operations for survivors, although all individuals involved were eventually accounted for. Ferry service to Sapelo Island will resume using an auxiliary dock following the incident.
The tragedy occurred amidst ongoing tensions between residents of Hog Hammock, a Black enclave on the island, and county and state authorities over issues of land ownership and development regulations. Some residents had expressed concerns about the state of the gangway prior to the collapse, highlighting broader challenges faced by the Gullah Geechee community on Sapelo Island.
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