By Stepheny Price, Fox News
Published May 26, 2025, 10:12 PM EDT
Boating Explosion Near Fort Lauderdale Injures 13 Passengers
A Memorial Day at sea turned into a disaster when a boat exploded and caught fire near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, injuring multiple passengers. The U.S. Coast Guard has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, which occurred near the Lauderdale Yacht Club.
Details of the Fort Lauderdale Explosion
The Coast Guard reported that the explosion took place around 5:45 PM on Monday near the New River Triangle in Fort Lauderdale, with 13 people aboard the vessel at the time. Multiple injuries were confirmed following the incident.
“Reportedly, a vessel exploded around 5:45 PM with 13 people aboard, Monday, near the New River Triangle, Fort Lauderdale,” the Coast Guard shared in an alert on X (formerly Twitter). “Multiple injuries reported.”
Coast Guard officials confirmed that several agencies were involved in the rescue efforts. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue reported that 11 individuals, including two children, were transported to the hospital. The fire department is still working to determine the cause of the explosion.
“The boat was anchored to a sandbar, and when someone attempted to start it, it exploded for reasons unknown,” a Fire Department spokesperson stated. “It was a pretty chaotic scene.”
A dog was also on board the boat at the time but was not injured. Ten of the victims were taken to a Miami hospital’s burn unit for specialized treatment.
An eyewitness at the yacht club, who heard the explosion, told WSVN, “I heard a loud sound but didn’t see any smoke.”
Coast Guard Clean-Up Efforts and Ongoing Investigation
Clean-up operations are currently underway, with the Coast Guard arranging salvage efforts for the vessel. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Separate Boating Incident Near Palm Beach
The Coast Guard responded to another distress call earlier in the day concerning a 48-foot yacht that caught fire and was sinking near Jupiter Inlet, off Palm Beach.
The Coast Guard issued a warning to mariners about debris in the water following the incident. A good Samaritan rescued the three people aboard the sinking yacht, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Images shared by the Coast Guard showed large flames coming from the yacht, with debris scattered in the water.
Investigation Continues
Both incidents are under investigation. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is handling the inquiry into the Fort Lauderdale explosion, while the cause of the Palm Beach yacht fire is still being determined.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, covering topics such as missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, and illegal immigration.