SAVANNAH, Ga. ‒ On Sunday, officials cited “catastrophic failure” as the reason behind the gangway collapse that resulted in seven fatalities and left over a dozen individuals in the murky waters as tragedy struck during a cultural festival on historic Sapelo Island.

The incident occurred late Saturday afternoon while festival attendees were getting ready to embark on the ferry, as per state Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon’s remarks at a briefing. Among the victims was a chaplain from the agency. Rabon noted that three others were still in critical condition as of Sunday.

“I would like to express gratitude to those who responded so quickly during this unfolding tragedy,” Rabon stated. “Their swift actions helped save more lives yesterday afternoon.”

The collapse took place amidst Sapelo’s annual Cultural Day, an event that honors the rich Gullah Geechee heritage. The Saltwater Geechee community on Sapelo Island is comprised of direct descendants of West Africans brought to the U.S. for their knowledge in cultivating rice and indigo during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Sapelo Island has approximately 70 full-time residents in the Hog Hammock community, most of whom are descendants of individuals enslaved on local plantations. Rabon confirmed that none of the island’s residents were among those who lost their lives in the incident.

Although Rabon was uncertain about the gangway’s capacity, which was constructed three years ago, he mentioned being informed that it should have been able to support the crowd present on Saturday. A reconstruction team is now collaborating with engineers to determine the cause of the collapse.

Search Efforts Underway

Following the collapse, Coast Guard helicopters and boats equipped with sonar were deployed for search-and-rescue operations. Sapelo Island, located around 60 miles south of Savannah, is accessible only by boat, with a state-operated ferry connecting Meridian to the island in about 20 minutes.

Approximately 20 individuals fell into the water, with estimates suggesting up to 40 people could have been on the gangway at the time it failed, Rabon indicated.

Teake Zuidema, a photographer from Savannah, was one of those caught in the chaos as he had come to capture the event. He was stepping onto the ferry to return to the mainland when the gangway collapsed.

“I took maybe three steps, and suddenly the entire world around me crumbled, with people screaming and shouting,” Zuidema recounted on Sunday.

Pandemonium Ensues as People Seek Safety

Zuidema described the scene in the water as people of all ages struggled for safety. He managed to grab a railing to pull himself up, but many others found the gangway too slippery to climb, causing them to fall back into the water.

“It was complete chaos,” Zuidema described. “It was horrifying.”

As he hung onto the rail, he saw the current carrying away individuals who had fallen into the water.

“I scanned the shore and witnessed responders giving CPR to those lying unconscious,” he continued. “It hit me that I was seeing people dying right before my eyes.”

Witnesses Ask Who is Responsible for the Collapse

Hermina Glass-Hill, who works in Midway, about 30 miles north of Meridian, shared that her shuttle bus was behind the one that dropped off the passengers just before the incident.

“We noticed people wrapped in blankets, being carried by first responders and local citizens,” she recounted during a phone interview on Sunday morning.

Glass-Hill expressed sorrow over how a day meant to honor Gullah Geechee culture, food, and music turned into a tragic event. After reflecting on the incident, she questioned who should have ensured the dock’s safety in a place already facing numerous social and political challenges.

The Gullah Geechee people maintain their presence along the coastlines and barrier islands from North Carolina to Florida, facing an uncertain future due to rising sea levels and development pressures, despite being included in the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor designated by Congress.

After returning to the mainland, Glass-Hill encountered a woman and her daughters whom she had met earlier who were visibly affected by the events.

“One of the daughters witnessed someone drowning, and she kept crying, ‘I could have saved them! If only I could have saved them!’” Glass-Hill shared, her voice filled with emotion. “Now they were supposed to head back to college on Monday, and instead, they are grappling with survivor’s guilt.”

President Biden Shares His Condolences

President Joe Biden released a statement expressing his heartbreak over the situation. He mentioned that he was closely monitoring the events and was ready to offer any assistance that could be beneficial for the community.

“What should have been a happy celebration of Gullah Geechee culture and history turned into tragedy and sorrow,” the statement noted. “Jill and I mourn for those who lost their lives, and we are praying for the injured and those who are still unaccounted for.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also released a statement, urging “all Georgians to join us in prayer for those we lost, those still in danger, and their families.”

Witnesses praised for their efforts to save lives

The descendants of slaves from Hogg Hummock have strong connections to each other and their land, according to Roger Lotson, a member of the McIntosh County Board of Commissioners, which includes Sapelo Island.

Lotson, the commission’s only Black member among five, expressed his prayers for the families mourning their loved ones and for those receiving medical care following the incident.

“I am also praying for the mental health of those who survived this disaster and everyone associated with Sapelo and the Sapelo Cultural Day event,” Lotson shared with YSL News. “Many individuals at the scene courageously jumped into the water to help save lives. We commend them and our outstanding first responders.”

(This story has been updated with additional information.)