Boat explosion at Miami sandbar triggers mass casualty response, 15 hospitalized

MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A major boat explosion at a Miami sandbar on Saturday is being labeled as a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident.

Multiple people were taken to the hospital after a reported boat explosion near the Haulover Sandbar, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

MDFR said more than 25 units responded to the scene after receiving reports of a possible explosion involving a boat.

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When crews arrived, firefighters reportedly found multiple patients suffering from injuries at the sandbar. Due to the number of victims and the need for additional emergency resources, officials upgraded the response to a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident.

Fire rescue officials told CBS News Miami that 15 patients were transported to local hospitals for further treatment.

The conditions of those injured have not been released.

Officials said the scene remains active and investigators are still working to determine what caused the explosion.