11 hospitalized in possible Miami boat explosion, officials say

Several people were hurt after a possible boat explosion Saturday near the Haulover Sandbar in Miami, Florida, according to Miami-Dade fire officials.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it responded, along with the Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to a report of a possible boat explosion at approximately 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Upon arrival, fire crews found multiple patients on scene with various injuries, including burns, and some with more traumatic injuries, according to MDFR Battalion Chief Juan Arias. A total of 11 patients were transported to a local hospital for further care, officials said. Their conditions were not immediately known.   

Due to the sheer number of patients and the department’s need for additional resources, MDFR said that it upgraded the call to a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident.

The cause of the possible explosion and fire is under investigation. Officials have not yet confirmed that an explosion occurred.   

Nearby boat charter Patrick Lee said he witnessed the incident. 

“We saw three people fly out of the boat,” Lee said. “So this guy got in a hurry, and his people got on board, and he turned the key, and didn’t open the hatches. Didn’t turn on the blowers and he blew people out the boat.” 

Lee said the boat was surrounded in flames within minutes, adding that several people were taken away on stretchers by paramedics. 

“I just saw a lot of them with burns all over them, and I said that it’s a hot fire,” Lee said. “It is quick, but it’s high octane gasoline, and so a lot of them got burnt and it was an explosion.” 

According to media partner, The Miami Herald, the boat was docked near the Haulover Marine Center a few hours after the incident. The Miami Herald identified the boat as a Press Cruiser 400 Express, a 40-foot cabin cruiser called Nauti Nabor, from Sherman, Texas. 

According to the Herald, which cites the U.S. Coast Guard database, the vessel was certified for recreational use. Texas Parks and Wildlife identified the registered owner Mark Mihm of Denison, Texas, the Herald said. 

Fire officials are advising people who want to go out on the water to take precautions. 

“This time of year, we have a lot of boats on the water, so it’s always good to make sure you have a radio with you, life vests, fire extinguishers in case of fighting any fires or explosions like we had today, and also have an experienced boater with you on the boat, a captain or whatnot,” Arias said.