At least seven people were killed Saturday when a gangway collapsed at the Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island, authorities said.
At least 20 people went into the water when the gangway collapsed, and an unknown number of people were injured in the collapse.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other emergency agencies deployed boats with side-scan sonar and helicopters for search-and-rescue missions. The gangway on Sapelo Island has been secured, and the incident is under investigation.
Georgia DNR officials said the agency would continue to coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies, including the Georgia State Patrol, McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, McIntosh County Fire Department, and U.S. Coast Guard.
In January 2023, the feds announced $4 million to the Georgia Department of Transportation to buy a new electric ferry. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will use the ferry for its passenger service between Meridian and Sapelo Island in McIntosh County.
Officials said the new ferry would replace an older vessel to continue daily transit service.