A boat explosion at a Ft. Lauderdale Mariana claimed the life of one man and severely injured 5 others Monday night.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. near the marina’s fuel docks, though it remains unclear whether the vessel was actively refueling at the time.
EarthCam footage captured the harrowing moment when the boat erupted into flames, with the top half of the vessel launching into the air before crashing back down. The fire quickly spread to a nearby smaller boat, intensifying the situation as bystanders watched in shock.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) responded promptly, extinguishing the blaze and attending to the victims. Five individuals were transported to local hospitals, three of whom sustained traumatic injuries. A sixth person, initially reported missing, was later found deceased in the water by the Broward Sheriff’s Office after an extensive search.
Witnesses dining at a nearby restaurant recounted the explosion’s impact. Nate Hill described feeling “the vibration through my body,” while Tamer Dimiati observed “the top half of the boat fly up probably ten feet and come right back down.” Another witness, Maria Sanz, attempted to assist a victim struggling in the water. Dimiati also noted seeing a man on the boat who was “stumbling” and “bleeding from his mouth and arm.”
The cause of the boat explosion is currently under investigation by authorities. As of now, the identities of the victims have not been publicly disclosed. The incident, and others like it, have raised concerns about the observation of safety protocols at US marinas, especially regarding fueling procedures. FLFR Deputy Fire Chief Garrett Pingol stated, “We do believe the boat was at the fuel docks near the fuel pumps. We’re still determining whether it was actively fueling; that is unknown.”
As the investigation continues, more information is expected to emerge about the circumstances leading up to the explosion.
