U.S. Coast Guard Southeast/X
A boat with 13 people aboard exploded in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Monday, May 26
Nearly a dozen people were injured during a Memorial Day boat explosion in Florida
The incident happened at the Lauderdale Yacht Club while the vessel was anchored near a sandbar
The scene and investigation remains active
Nearly a dozen people have been hospitalized following a Memorial Day boat explosion in Florida.
A vessel carrying 13 people exploded around 5:45 p.m. local time near the New River Triangle, Fort Lauderdale, the Southeast division of the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on X Monday, May 26.
According to the agency, “multiple injuries” were reported as rescue teams “transferred the 13 ppl to EMS.”
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesman Frank Guzman told the Miami Herald that 13 people were on the boat. Eleven people were injured, including two children, Guzman said.
The incident happened at the Lauderdale Yacht Club at the 1700 block of 12th Street, WSVN reported.
At least 10 individuals were taken to Broward Health Medical Center before being transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s burn unit for serious injuries and burns, WSVN reported, citing Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials. As of 10 p.m., eight people are in good condition, while the children are in fair condition, hospital staff told WSVN. The children are ages 5 and 7.
The exact condition of the people rescued is unknown at this time. A dog was also saved.
“Good Samaritans came over right away and started to rescue them. We transported 11 people to Broward Health Medical Center, two of them were children. We also rescued a dog that was on the boat and the dog is OK,” Guzman told WSVN.
One witness, Christopher Blackwood, told the outlet he heard a “loud explosion” while he was fishing nearby.
“When I looked at the boat, I saw the gas vapor, went into the air. I saw people jump into the water,” Blackwood said. “Something inside exploded. You just got to be safe, you got to know what you’re doing.”
WPLG reported that the boat had been anchored at a sandbar.
Video posted to the USCG’s X account showed the rescue efforts underway as boats from different agencies rushed to the scene, lights flashing as they alerted others to clear the way.
“Salvage is being arranged,” the tweet said, adding that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would reportedly be leading the investigation.
A spokesperson for the FWC could not immediately be reached by PEOPLE for comment.
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“It’s too soon to know how this happened,” Guzman told WSNV. “We have a fire investigator on scene as well and once we know more, we can share that.”
The situation remains under investigation.
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