A massive boat explosion in Miami has lead to a rapid probe being launched into the possible causes. According to USA Today, the incident happened at around 12:48pm local time on Saturday, May 9. The incident occurred on Miami's Haulover Sandbar, in the south of the city.
The Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief, Juan Arias, reported that crews arrived and then located several victims. Eleven people were treated at the scene prior to being sent to local hospitals.
An estimated 25 units from a combined four organizations attended the scene. These included the Miami-Dade fire department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, and an Ocean Rescue team.
Witnesses told local news outlets that emergency crews were there at the scene in "minutes". They said that passengers were carried away on stretchers.
Arias added that some of the victims faced burns injuries, although he didn't say just how bad things are. The cause of the possible explosion is still under investigation, according to officials.
The fire chief said that this incident is a good reminder of the safety protocols people should be taking when boating recreationally. Arias explained, "This time of year we have a lot of boats on the water, so it's always good to make sure you have a radio with you, life vests, fire extinguishers... And also an experienced boater with you on the boat."
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Witnesses Described the Chilling Boat Explosion
According to the Miami Herald, fire crews dubbed the event a "mass casualty incident". Witnesses were also quick to emphasise the scale of the explosion.
Patrick Lee, a boat charter captain, explained he saw "three people fly out of the boat in a puff of smoke." "People got on board, and he turned the key and didn't open the hatches, didn't turn on the blowers, and he blew people out of the boat," Lee added.
The boat is a Press Cruiser 400 Express, which is a 40-foot cabin cruiser. The specific boat is called "Nauti Nabors", and it hails from Sherman, Texas. The U.S. Coast Guard Database says the boat is registered for recreational use.
We hope everyone is okay.
