At Least 7 Dead at Georgia Ferry Dock, Official Says

By The New York Times (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-20 01:24:55 | Updated at 2024-10-20 05:30:33 4 hours ago
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The circumstances of the deaths at the dock in Sapelo Island, Ga., were not immediately clear.

A dock with large pilings and a small white building in the background.
The ferry dock at Sapelo Island, Ga., in 2020. At least seven people died in an emergency at the dock on Saturday, an official said.Credit...Rinne Allen for The New York Times

Hank Sanders

Oct. 19, 2024, 9:07 p.m. ET

At least seven people were killed on Saturday in an emergency at a ferry dock on Sapelo Island, Ga., the authorities said.

Mark Deverger, the McIntosh County volunteer fire chief, confirmed the deaths but said he did not know the specifics of what happened.

The McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook that it was “working an active situation on Sapelo Island” but did not provide details on the number of deaths or injured.

The office said multiple agencies were responding. Glynn County Fire Rescue said emergency crews responded around 4:30 p.m.

“We have set up a family reunification point at the Elm Grove Baptist Church,” the sheriff’s office said. “We ask that anyone searching for family members, please check there first. We also request that people be mindful of emergency vehicles traveling in and out of the county.”

Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia said on social media that he was “heartbroken by today’s tragedy on Sapelo Island.”

Sapelo Island is about 70 miles south of Savannah, Ga.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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