Daijiworld Media Network - South Florida

South Florida, May 10: A major emergency response was launched on Saturday afternoon after a boat explosion near Haulover Sandbar left at least 15 people injured, authorities said.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, crews responded to reports of a possible vessel explosion at around 12:48 p.m. in Biscayne Bay, a popular boating and recreational area in South Florida.

Preliminary information shared by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicated that a charter boat was near the sandbar when an onboard explosion occurred, injuring several passengers.

The scale of the incident prompted rescue officials to issue a Level 2 mass casualty declaration. More than two dozen emergency response units, including personnel from the United States Coast Guard, were deployed to the scene as part of the coordinated rescue effort.

Fire rescue officials confirmed that multiple victims required medical treatment and that 11 individuals were transported to nearby hospitals. Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the seriousness of the injuries or the current condition of those hospitalised.

Investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have launched an inquiry into the cause of the blast. While officials have not confirmed what triggered the explosion, one passenger reportedly told local media that a possible gas leak may have been responsible.

The explosion occurred during a busy weekend afternoon at Haulover Sandbar, a popular destination that frequently draws large crowds of tourists and recreational boaters in the Miami area.