On October 19, a tragic incident occurred at the Sapelo Island ferry dock in Georgia, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to six others. In a statement following the accident, President Biden extended his condolences to the victims’ families.
Walter Rabon, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, held a press conference on October 20, where he revealed that the stairway collapsed due to what he called a “catastrophic failure.” At the time of the incident, there were over 40 people on the stairway, with approximately half of them falling into the water. This structural failure took place just before 4 PM, prompting a swift response from the Coast Guard, along with state and local agencies.
Rabon described the situation, stating, “This is a structural failure. Aluminum stairways like this should require very little maintenance. We will continue to investigate the findings.” He also noted that as of the morning of October 20, three individuals were still hospitalized and in critical condition.
Earlier reports indicated that on the evening of October 19, part of the ferry dock’s stairway collapsed, leading to at least seven fatalities and numerous hospitalizations. President Biden, addressing the situation later that night, lamented that what was meant to be a “joyful celebration” had turned into a “tragic and painful event.”
