Officials investigating Memorial Day boating explosions and fires in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach
A Memorial Day outing took a dangerous turn as nearly a dozen people were hospitalized following a fiery boat explosion in Fort Lauderdale.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed it has launched an investigation into the blast, which injured 13 passengers near the Lauderdale Yacht Club.
“Reportedly, a vessel exploded around 5:45 pm w/ 13 ppl aboard, Mon. near the New River Triangle, Ft. Lauderdale,” the Coast Guard posted on X. “Multiple injuries reported.”
Multiple rescue units from various agencies responded to the chaotic scene.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue told Fox News Digital that 11 people—including two children—were hospitalized, and crews are still working to determine what triggered the explosion.
“The boat was anchored to a sandbar and when someone went to start it, for reasons unknown, it exploded when they tried to start it,” a fire department spokesman said.
“It was a pretty chaotic scene,” he added.
A dog onboard escaped unharmed, according to fire officials.
Ten of the 11 victims were transported to a specialized burn unit at a Miami hospital.
A witness at the yacht club told WSVN he heard “a loud sound, but didn’t see any smoke.”
Salvage operations are now in progress, and the Coast Guard confirmed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation.
The Fort Lauderdale incident came just hours after the Coast Guard was called to a separate emergency off the coast of Palm Beach, where a 48-foot yacht caught fire and sank near Jupiter Inlet.
“Sector Miami is warning mariners about debris in the water after a 48ft yacht sank when it caught fire off Jupiter Inlet,” the Coast Guard warned.
Photos shared by the Coast Guard show the vessel engulfed in flames and floating debris scattered across the water.
Fortunately, a good Samaritan rescued the three people aboard. No injuries were reported, and officials are still working to determine what caused the fire.
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