At least seven people were killed on Saturday after part of a ferry dock collapsed on Sapelo Island in the U.S. state of Georgia, AP reported, citing local authorities.

A gangway at the dock collapsed, sending people plunging into the water, and "multiple people" were taken to hospitals, according to spokesperson Tyler Jones of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which operates the dock.

Jones said he did not know what caused the gangway to collapse, but officials believe at least 20 people were on it at the time.

Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard, the McIntosh County Fire Department, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and others were searching the water, the report added.