Dramatic Boat Explosion at Lauderdale Marina Claims Life, Injures Six
FORT LAUDERDALE — A fiery explosion at Lauderdale Marina on Monday night resulted in the death of one person and injuries to six others, officials confirmed. The incident occurred near the fuel pumps behind the 15th Street Fisheries, leaving two boats engulfed in flames and emergency crews scrambling to respond.
The explosion was captured on dramatic video obtained from EarthCam, a live-streaming and reality capture service. The footage shows the top half of a 37-foot vessel launching into the air after its engines ignited. The debris crashed back down moments later, igniting a second nearby boat.
“It was kind of just a big explosion; I felt the vibration through my body,” said Nate Hill, a witness to the harrowing scene. Another eyewitness, Tamer Dimiati, described seeing “the top half of the boat fly up probably ten feet and come right back down.”
Emergency Response and Casualties
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue received multiple 911 calls about the blaze shortly before 6 p.m. Firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement officers from several agencies responded swiftly to the marina.
After an extensive search of the waters, a dive team from the Broward Sheriff’s Office located the body of 41-year-old Sebastien Gauthier of Quebec, who had been reported missing.
Six other individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue reported that three of the victims sustained traumatic injuries.
Investigation Underway
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) identified the 37-foot vessel as the origin of the explosion but has yet to determine the cause.
“It is too soon as of this writing to speculate as to what the potential cause(s) may have been,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesperson Frank Guzman. “Once the vessels have been removed from the water and can be more closely examined by investigators, we will have a better idea.”
Agencies including the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, FWC, and the U.S. Coast Guard are collaborating on the investigation.
Community Reacts
The incident has left the boating community in shock. Lauderdale Marina is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, and the explosion has raised concerns about safety protocols near fuel pumps.
Authorities have urged boaters to exercise caution and report any unusual mechanical issues immediately.
Further updates are expected as investigators work to piece together the sequence of events that led to this tragic accident.
