Seven people are presumed dead after a gangway collapsed in Georgia

Seven people are believed dead after a gangway that is part of a marina collapsed on Sapelo Island, Georgia, on Saturday.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, at least 20 people went into the water when the structure gave way before 4:30 p.m., prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard and state and local authorities.

The number of people injured and the extent of their injuries are unknown, the agency said.

“Georgia DNR and several other emergency agencies deployed boats with side-scan sonar and helicopters for search and rescue operations,” it said. “The gangway has been secured on Sapelo Island and the incident is currently under investigation.”

According to the ministry, the gangway is used by public ferries, the University of Georgia research trawler and some small boats.

The Sepalo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society organized its annual Cultural Day celebration on the island on Saturday, calling it “our most celebrated event.” It is not clear whether the revelers were on the gangway.

Sapelo Island, on the Atlantic coast, is about 72 miles south of Savannah.