At least seven people were killed in a freak accident after the gangway of a ferry pier collapsed in Georgia on Saturday, according to local authorities.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Georgia DNR), around 4:30 p.m., a portion of the Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island collapsed, throwing several people into the water. Sapelo Island is a barrier island in McIntosh County and is only accessible by ferry.

In a press release, the authority said that at least 20 people fell into the water. The number of injured is currently unknown.

“Seven fatalities have been confirmed,” Georgia DNR spokesman Tyler Jones told reporters, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. “Several people were transported to area hospitals and we continue to search for people in the water.”

CHILD DIES AT HALLOWEEN ATTRACTION DURING MAKE Prank: “TERRIBLE ACCIDENT”

At least seven people were killed when a ferry pier collapsed in Georgia on Saturday. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

The Georgia DNR reports that multiple agencies are involved in the rescue mission.

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

Man dies in freak accident involving frozen hamburgers: ‘hard to hear’

The sun sets over the wetlands of Sapelo Island, off the coast of Georgia. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“Georgia DNR will continue to work in coordination with local, state and federal agencies including, but not limited to, the Georgia State Patrol, McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, McIntosh County Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, including the entire Sapelo Island community.”

The McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook that it is actively helping local people.

The sun rises over Sapelo Island, Georgia, a Gullah-Geechee community. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“We have established a family reunification drop-in center at Elm Grove Baptist Church,” the department said. “We ask anyone looking for family members to look there first. We also ask people to be aware of arriving emergency vehicles.”

Authorities are actively investigating the incident.