MIAMI, FL - Eleven individuals required hospitalization following a substantial blast on a boat near the popular Haulover Sandbar on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), converged on the scene shortly after the incident, which was reported around 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time.
Initial reports indicate that those injured sustained various wounds, including burns and other traumatic injuries. While official statements from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, through Battalion Chief Juan Arias, confirmed the number of hospitalized individuals and the nature of their injuries, the precise cause of the explosion remains under active investigation by the FWC.
Witness accounts, such as those from a local boat captain, have suggested a possible gas leak as a contributing factor. This individual observed individuals being ejected from the 40-foot charter vessel during the event. Fire dispatch audio logs reportedly mentioned the boat's fuel tank as a potential origin point for the explosion.
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The vessel, identified as a charter boat, was later observed docked near the Haulover Marine Center following the incident. The Haulover Sandbar is noted as a frequented tourist spot, characterized by its clear, shallow waters. Authorities have not yet disclosed the conditions of the injured parties.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has advised individuals utilizing the waterways to exercise caution. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion is ongoing.
