Memorial Day boat explosion in Florida sends 11 to hospital

A boat exploded from a suspected fuel leak in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, injuring 11 people on board, including four critically.

The boat blew up at about 5:45 p.m. Monday, the U.S. Seventh Coast Guard District posted on X.

“I heard a loud explosion. When I looked at the boat, I saw the gas vapor go into the air. I saw people jump into the water. Something inside exploded. You just have to be safe; you have got to know what you’re doing,” witness Christopher Blackwood told WSVN-TV.

Among the 11 people hospitalized were two children.

Staff at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital told WPLG-TV that as of Tuesday, the two children and two adults were in critical condition, four adults were in serious condition and two were in good condition. The remaining adult was treated and discharged Monday night, hospital staff said.

The father of the children, Antonio Rivera, 32, told WSVN-TV that “we tried to fuel up the boat; it must have leaked gas, and, you know, it sparked. Went off and exploded,” adding that his wife and children had suffered third-degree burns.

Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Broward Sheriff’s Office personnel helped rescue those aboard from the water and take them ashore for medical care, the Coast Guard said. They were also assisted by good Samaritans.

Bret Triano and Marisa Toomsen were hanging out near the site of the explosion and helped save one of the victims.

“There were a couple boats trying to pick people up and one guy just didn’t get picked up so we went over to him. He was screaming. … He was saying ’save me, please don’t let me die, I’m so hot, I need water,’” Mr. Triano told WTVJ-TV.