At least seven people were killed and eight others were injured when part of a ferry dock collapsed on Georgia’s Sapelo Island during a fall celebration by the Gullah-Geechee community of Black slave descendants. A total of 20 people were on the gangway when it collapsed, sending them into the water.
The dock is operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and officials are investigating why the walkway failed. The search for missing individuals involved helicopters and boats with side-scanning sonar.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp expressed his condolences, and President Joe Biden offered federal assistance. The incident occurred during the island’s Cultural Day, an annual event celebrating the Hogg Hummock community founded by former slaves after the Civil War.
The Hogg Hummock community on Sapelo Island has a close-knit population bonded by family, history, and struggle. The community, with roots in Gullah-Geechee culture, has been striving to preserve its heritage amidst challenges such as shrinking population and zoning changes.
In light of the tragedy, the Gullah-Geechee community and its unique heritage have gained national attention, with officials and residents mourning the loss of lives and highlighting the need to protect such historic communities.
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Photo credit fox4kc.com