At least 11 people were hospitalised on Saturday after a suspected explosion tore through a charter boat at Haulover Sandbar, a popular tourist destination in Miami, southern Florida. Emergency crews responded to reports of a blast at around 12:45pm local time, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Juan Arias. The injured were taken to local hospitals to be treated for burns and traumatic injuries.

The explosion occurred aboard a charter boat carrying approximately 14 people. Witnesses described a sudden and violent blast. Patrick Lee, a local boat operator who was ferrying passengers nearby at the time, said he saw the immediate aftermath unfold in seconds. "When we looked back out, we saw three people flying off the boat in a puff of smoke," he said. Lee, who has experience with boats, suggested the fire spread rapidly due to the fuel involved. "It is quick, but it's high octane gasoline, and so a lot of them got burnt," he told reporters. Video footage from the scene showed a helicopter landing near the marina as emergency teams carried at least one injured person on a stretcher.

The cause of the explosion has not been confirmed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading an investigation into the incident, and the US Coast Guard also responded to the scene alongside fire and rescue teams.

Haulover Sandbar, located in the shallow coastal waters of Miami, is a well-known gathering spot that attracts hundreds of boaters, kayakers, and visitors — particularly during spring break season. Its clear, calm waters have made it a focal point for recreational boating in the area.

The incident highlights the safety risks that can accompany heavy recreational boat traffic in busy marina environments. Authorities have not yet released details on the conditions of those hospitalised, and the investigation into what triggered the blast remains ongoing.