A horror boat explosion at an idyllic tourist hotspot has seen 11 people rushed to hospital, with one eyewitness recounting the blast threw several into the ocean before the charter boat was engulfed by flames.
Authorities in the US have since declared a level two mass casualty event, after first responders scrambled more than two dozen rescue units to waters off the cost of Miami to rescue those injured in the boat blast.
The charter boat was out on the waters of Biscayne Bay, near the Sunshine State’s famous Haulover Sandbar, when the detonation occurred.
As per the Miami Herald, which had obtained audio of the dispatch calls between base and first responders at the scene, there was a state of confusion when rescuers arrived.
View 4 ImagesSmoke could be seen billowing from the vessel from shore, with witnesses saying the boat engulfed by moments after the detonation(Image: WPLG Local 10)
The dispatcher tried to pinpoint how many people were injured, with the firefighter replying: “They keep coming…. we just aren’t sure right now.”
The audio did confirm that multiple people suffered burns. Some were thrown into the water by the blast and were rescued by fire-crew lifeboats.
The injured were then rushed to nearby fuel docks to be transported to nearby emergency trauma centres, with some airlifted to hospital Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Centre and Burn Centre, the paper said.
The Miami Herald identified the boat as a Press Cruiser 400 Express, a 40-foot cabin cruiser called Nauti Nabors, from Texas.
South Florida boat captain Patrick Lee witnessed the horror unfold. He was shuttling passengers via his tiki boat to a larger vessel, which was moored out on waters near the Haulover Sandbar, when the explosion detonated nearby.
“We saw three people fly out of the boat,” he said.
Lee said the boat was surrounded in flames within minutes, adding that several people were taken away on stretchers by paramedics.
“I just saw a lot of them with burns all over them, and I said that it’s a hot fire,” Lee said. “It is quick, but it’s high octane gasoline, and so a lot of them got burnt, and it was an explosion.”
View 4 ImagesFootage captured the aftermath of horror boat explosion off Miami Beach which saw 11 rushed to hospital, some via air ambulance (Image: WPLG Local 10)
The boat captain of more than 50 years theorised to local news that the explosion was likely caused by exhaust fans that were not turned on, causing gas fumes become trapped on board. When the boat ignition was turned over, it sparked the explosion, he speculated. He added he had based his claim on what he had witnessed and his decades of boating experience.
“[The captain’s] people got on board, he turned the key, didn’t open the hatches, and didn’t turn on the blowers — he blew people out of the boat,” he said.
He added: “That’s the worst thing, [it was totally] preventable. I find most tragedies are from a lack of education. Many people out here shouldn’t be operating boats.”
A passenger who was on-board for the blast, Leo, also told the Miami Herald the explosion caused by a gas leak. Leo, who declined to give his last name and was not injured, added: “It was the worst experience of my life.”
According to dispatch audio logs, fire crews said the explosion possibly came from the boat’s fuel tank.
Fire and rescue officials have since issued a statement to the public, with the boat explosion a stark reminder to the public to “prioritise [their] safety while out on the water”.
View 4 ImagesA seasoned boat captain who witnessed the horror incident unfold theorised the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, which resulted in an explosion when the boat’s ignition turned over(Image: WPLG Local 10)
As per a statement, the Miami fire service said: “Make sure your vessel is equipped with a working fire extinguisher and all required safety equipment. Before departure, perform a thorough safety check to ensure your boat is in good working condition and free of potential hazards.
“Taking a few extra precautions can help prevent emergencies and keep everyone safe.” The explosion and subsequent boat fire is now under official investigation by the authorities, who are yet to determine the cause.
The captain of the boat walked away from the horror incident unharmed, by both the blast and the subsequent fire.