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At least 15 injured after boat explosion in Florida

At least 15 people have been taken to hospital with injuries after a boat explosion in Florida.

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

More than two dozen rescue units responded to the incident at about 12.50pm local time and "encountered multiple patients requiring medical attention", Miami-Dade Fire Rescue added.

The agency said it transported 11 people to local hospitals but did not provide details about their condition.

But other US outlets - including Sky News' US partner NBC News - have reported that 15 were injured.

Officials ⁠have not revealed the cause for the ​incident, but one person who was on the vessel ⁠told the Miami ⁠Herald they blamed it on a gas ​leak.

Local business owner Patrick Lee, who witnessed the explosion, told NBC News he saw "three people flying off of the boat and a puff of smoke".

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

He added: "I saw 12 stretchers leave with people very badly burnt".

The explosion occurred in the ⁠vicinity of Haulover Sandbar, a shallow boating area and popular tourist ‌destination, known for its lively parties.

The state's Conservation Commission said an investigation had been launched.

The US Coast Guard was among the emergency crews that responded.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: At least 15 injured after boat explosion in Florida

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