An explosion on a boat in Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day has left 11 people hospitalized, including two children. The vessel, carrying 13 people, caught fire near the New River Triangle, not far from the Lauderdale Yacht Club, as reported by 7News Miami. The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m., according to officials from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The blast sent the passengers into the water, with good Samaritans responding rapidly to rescue them. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesman Frank Guzman explained, "For reasons that we don't know yet, a boat exploded, it tossed people into the water, good Samaritans came over right away and started rescuing them," as stated in a surveillance video captured the chaotic scene, which included people being thrown off the burning boat. The injured, mainly suffering from extensive burns, were initially transported to Broward Health Medical Center, and later, ten patients were moved to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit for further treatment, reports NBC Miami.
Among the victims, Antonio Rivero, a passenger on the boat at the time of the explosion, recounted how a suspected gas leak and resulting spark might have been the cause. "Tried to fuel up the boat, and must have been a gas leak and you know, spark went off and explosion," Rivero described to NBC Miami. He further added that his wife and children were still hospitalized, "They're okay because they're on a lot of meds, but other than that they're fine."
Brett Triano and Marissa Toomsen became impromptu rescuers, assisting the injured after the explosion. Triano shared his experience, saying, "We were at the sandbar too and we just tried to go help out," as per NBC Miami. Triano and Toomsen managed to pull a 36-year-old man in severe pain, detailing his cries for help. “He was burned; his skin was kind of, he was burned pretty badly,” Toomsen remarked in an interview quoted by 7News Miami.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, with various agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, being involved. A dog aboard the boat at the time of the incident was also rescued and reported unharmed amidst the chaos.
