A tragic incident occurred at the annual Cultural Day festival on historic Sapelo Island, Georgia, when a dock gangway collapsed, resulting in the deaths of seven people and leaving several others critically injured. The collapse took place as festival goers were preparing to board a ferry. Thankfully, residents of the island were not among the fatalities.
Sapelo Island is home to the Saltwater Geechee community, descendants of West Africans brought over during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The island celebrates its Gullah Geechee history at the Cultural Day festival, which ended in tragedy this year due to the catastrophic failure of the gangway.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as people fell into the water, with some dying right in front of their eyes. Coast Guard teams conducted search and rescue operations in the aftermath of the collapse. There are questions about accountability, with some wondering who is responsible for ensuring the safety of the dock.
President Joe Biden and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed condolences and offered support to the community affected by the tragedy. Despite the devastating event, witnesses praised the quick response of those who jumped into action to save lives. The community of Sapelo Island, which has deep historical ties to its Gullah Geechee heritage, is mourning the loss and praying for those injured in the accident.
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