At least seven people were tragically killed during a cultural gathering in Georgia on Saturday when part of a ferry pier collapsed on Sapelo Island.
official said The incident occurred during a celebration for descendants of black slaves from the Gullah-Geechee community, the Associated Press reported.
image show Collapsed part of the dock:
Eight people involved were taken to hospital, with six of the group suffering serious injuries.
nearby church It worked According to First Coast News, it was used as a reunion site after the tragedy.
Crews from multiple agencies began searching the waters, including the U.S. Coast Guard, McIntosh County Fire Department and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, according to an Associated Press article.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokesman Tyler Jones said the gangway collapsed, causing people to fall into the water.
The Associated Press article said, “A team of engineers and construction experts was expected to be on the scene early Sunday morning to begin an investigation into what caused the sidewalk to collapse.” It added that there was no collision, but that the structure was damaged. collapsed, but authorities are currently unsure what caused it.
Mr Jones said one of those killed was a pastor, adding that there were about 20 people on the gangway at the time of the incident.
“As the crowd boarded the ferry to return to the mainland, the gangway connecting the outer pier to the mainland collapsed,” NewsNation reported. said:
In a social media post Saturday evening, Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) said: expressed His grief over the loss of life.
“Marty, the girls and I are heartbroken by today's tragedy on Sapelo Island,” he wrote.
“As state and local first responders continue to work on this active scene, we ask all Georgians to stand up for those lost, those still at risk, and their families. We ask you to join us in your prayers,” Kemp concluded.
