A devastating boat explosion at one of Miami’s most frequented recreational destinations has left 11 people hospitalized with serious injuries, and US law enforcement and safety officials have launched a full investigation to pinpoint what caused the blast.
The incident unfolded on Saturday at Haulover Sandbar, a well-loved shallow-water marina spot that draws thousands of tourists and local boaters every year for its calm, clear waters and accessible on-water gathering space. According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Juan Arias, first responders were dispatched to the area immediately after multiple 911 calls came in reporting a large explosion aboard a private vessel anchored at the sandbar.
All 11 injured individuals were transported by emergency teams to area medical facilities for treatment of a range of injuries, including severe burns and blunt-force trauma from the blast, Arias confirmed to reporters. As of the latest update, officials have not released any preliminary information on a potential cause, nor have they shared updated details on the current condition of the injured victims.
Patrick Lee, a local boat charter operator who was on the water near the site of the explosion when it occurred, described the chaotic scene to CBS News, the US news partner of the BBC. “We saw three people fly out of the boat immediately after the blast,” Lee recalled. He added, “I could tell right away it was a really hot, fast-moving fire. It was high-octane gasoline, so it ignited almost instantly. A lot of people got badly burned before anyone could get to them. It was just pure chaos.”
Footage captured by witnesses at the scene shows an emergency helicopter landing near the adjacent Miami marina, with first responders carrying at least one injured victim on a stretcher to receive urgent medical care. Multiple agencies joined the response effort alongside local fire and rescue teams, including the US Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which oversees boating safety across the state’s waterways.
The BBC has reached out to Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue to request additional details on the investigation and the status of the injured, but has not yet received further comment.