FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A tragic boat explosion at Lauderdale Marina left one person dead and five others injured on the evening of December 23, 2024. Around 6 p.m., Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue received multiple 911 calls about the incident, reporting significant fire engulfing two boats.
According to officials, firefighters arrived on the scene to find the flames raging and quickly spreading from one boat to another. The rapid escalation of the fire was alarming, and it prompted immediate rescue efforts. Five individuals were rushed to local hospitals, three of whom were reported to have sustained traumatic injuries.
Witnesses described the ordeal as nothing short of chaotic. One witness recounted, “It was like a boom, kind of, and I turned around, and the whole dock was already on fire,” highlighting the suddenness of the explosion and the ensuing panic. Eyewitness Maria Sans shared her experience: “I was screaming, screaming, and then they told us we have to get out right away. I was trying to focus on where my family was.”
According to fire officials, the explosion's origins remain unknown, but initial reports suggest it may have occurred when the boat was being fueled. The Broward Sheriff’s Office later found the sixth victim deceased, floating in the water not long after the blast. The urgency of the situation underscored the need for fast action by emergency crews, who worked tirelessly to control both the fire and those injured.
Another witness, Tamer Dimiati, described the scene with visceral clarity: “All I saw was the boat just exploded and the top of the boat went up, and it came back down and the boat went to flames. I ran out there to try to see if anybody needed help.” His account was mirrored by others who experienced first-hand the terror and confusion surrounding the explosion.
Video footage captured by EarthCam has helped to piece together the events of the evening. Clips show the moment the vessel exploded, with the top lifting dramatically before crashing back down amid flames and smoke—providing chilling evidence of the incident. Thankfully, bystanders provided aid, attempting to rescue those who fell or were thrown overboard during the blast.
The Lauderdale Marina is known for its boating activity, attracting tourists and locals alike, and the site of the explosion raised immediate concerns due to its history. Interestingly, there was another explosion there weeks prior, which brought safety measures under scrutiny. Officials from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Coast Guard are working closely to deliberate the explosion's cause. Vigilance around fueling operations and potential electrical issues on vessels are particularly under examination, as such incidents have been statistically noted to account for numerous maritime disasters.
