A suspected boat explosion at a Miami sandbar sent at least 11 people to the hospital on Saturday, with some suffering from burns and traumatic injuries, according to Juan Arias, the Miami Dade fire rescue battalion chief.
Incident Details
First responders received reports around 12:45 p.m. of a possible boat explosion on the water, Arias told WPEC 12. The blast occurred onboard a charter boat carrying about 14 people, according to NBC 6 South Florida.
Investigation
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident, as reported by the Associated Press. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
The Haulover Sandbar attracts hundreds of spring breakers and vacationers each year. Located in shallow waters, it is a popular boating destination, also frequented by kayakers.
Patrick Lee, a local businessman, was driving people on his boat to another vessel during the blast. He told the Miami Herald, "When we looked back out, we saw three people flying off the boat in a puff of smoke."
