Boat explosion in Florida leaves at least 15 people injured

At least 15 people were taken to the hospital with injuries after a boat explosion in Florida, UNN reports, citing Sky News.

Details

A charter boat exploded in Biscayne Bay near Miami Beach on Saturday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported.

More than two dozen rescue units arrived at the scene around 12:50 p.m. local time and "found multiple victims in need of medical attention," Miami-Dade Fire Rescue added.

The agency reported that it transported 11 people to local hospitals but did not provide details on their condition.

However, other American media outlets reported 15 casualties.

Officials have not disclosed the cause of the incident, but one person on board told the Miami Herald that they believed a gas leak was the cause.

Local entrepreneur Patrick Lee, who witnessed the explosion, told NBC News that he saw "three people fly off the boat, and plumes of smoke."

"It was pretty obvious what it was," he said.

He added: "I saw 12 stretchers carrying people out with very severe burns."

The explosion occurred near the Haulover Sandbar, a shallow boating area and popular tourist spot known for its boisterous parties.

The state wildlife commission announced that an investigation has been launched.

The U.S. Coast Guard was among the rescue crews that arrived at the scene.