A Memorial Day outing turned tragic after a boat anchored at a popular sandbar in Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway exploded Monday evening, injuring 11 people, including children.
The blast occurred around 5:45 p.m. near the Lauderdale Yacht Club at 1725 SE 12th Street, just south of where the New River meets the Intracoastal. The area is a well-known gathering spot for boaters during low tide, which had occurred earlier that afternoon.
According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesperson Frank Guzman, the explosion threw everyone on board into the water. Witnesses described a “big fireball” and rushed to pull victims from the water before emergency crews arrived.
Rescue personnel staged at the Lauderdale Yacht Club and quickly began treating the injured. All 11 victims — nine adults and two children — were initially taken to Broward Health Medical Center. Several of the more seriously burned were later transported to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, which houses a specialized burn unit.
Authorities have not released the identities or conditions of the victims as of late Monday evening.
The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Fort Lauderdale Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are all involved in the probe. Officials have not yet disclosed the size or type of vessel involved.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging boaters to exercise caution and ensure all safety protocols are followed when operating or anchoring vessels — especially during busy holiday weekends
