**Gangway Collapse at Dock Results in Seven Fatalities and Multiple Injuries**

In a tragic incident at an annual event organized by the Cultural Revitalization Committee, a gangway at a dock in Georgia collapsed, plunging numerous people into the water. The collapse led to the deaths of seven individuals and left three others critically injured, currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

During a news conference, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Walter Rabon detailed the harrowing event. "Guests were in the process of loading the ferry, which was tied up to the dock," he explained. An initial investigation has revealed that the gangway's collapse was due to a "catastrophic failure."

Rabon noted that the gangway, which was installed in 2021, should have required minimal maintenance, raising questions about the structural integrity of the installation. "It is a structural failure," Rabon emphasized. "There should be very, very little maintenance to an aluminum gangway like that, but we'll see what the investigation unfolds."

The disaster struck as approximately 40 people stood on the gangway, which connected an outer dock, used for boarding the ferry, to another dock onshore. When the gangway gave way, at least 20 individuals fell into the water. Rabon assured the public that the DNR Critical Incident Reconstruction Team, in collaboration with engineers and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), is meticulously working to gather and preserve evidence, as well as interview witnesses.

None of the victims who lost their lives in the incident were residents of the island, a fact that adds to the broader community's sorrow. In total, eight people were transported to hospitals, with six initially reported to have critical injuries on Saturday. This devastating event underscores the necessity for thorough investigations to prevent such catastrophic failures in the future.