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Fire Rescue Takes 11 to Hospitals After Charter Boat Explosion Near Haulover Sandbar
A woman said her mother smelled gas 10 minutes before the blast, while investigators have not confirmed the cause.
On Saturday, a boat explosion near the Haulover Sandbar injured 11 people, prompting Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard to declare a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident shortly before 12:50 p.m.
Witnesses suggest a possible gas leak caused the blast after the captain allegedly started the engine without opening hatches; the vessel was identified as a Sea Ray Express Cruiser from Sherman, Texas.
Witness Patrick Lee reported seeing three people thrown from the vessel, which carried 14 passengers despite a 10-12 person capacity, while Adriana Rojas was among those transported to Ryder Trauma Center with severe burns.
Emergency crews surrounded the vessel within minutes, carrying injured passengers on stretchers; M-DFR Battalion Chief Juan Arias urged boaters to carry life vests and fire extinguishers as South Florida's boating season ramps up.
While investigators have not confirmed the official cause, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Melissa Brevik noted the charter vessel was in Biscayne Bay when the explosion occurred and authorities continue examining the scene.