MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel took 11 injured to several hospitals after a boat explosion on Saturday afternoon near the Haulover Sandbar.
A boat captain who identified as Leo said a boat exploded during startup, likely because of a gas leak, and it was the “scariest moment” of his life.
“When we looked back out, we saw three people flying off the boat and a puff of smoke,” said Patrick Lee, a witness who added he saw victims who were “very badly burned” in stretchers.
More than 25 M-DFR units, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, and the U.S. Coast Guard responded shortly before 12:50 p.m.
“Injuries were from burn injuries, some were traumatic injuries as well,” M-DFR Battalion Chief Juan Arias said.
The cause of the explosion remained under investigation.
This is a developing story. Local 10 News Assignment Editors Sofia Mendez and Mariana Ortiz contributed to this report.
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