Cruise ship explosion in the US, many tourists were thrown into the sea

The cruise ship explosion occurred at Haulover Sandbar, a tourist hotspot in Miami, at around 12:48 a.m. on May 9, sending 11 people to the hospital. One child suffered 18% burns and at least one adult suffered 30% burns.

Authorities said about 25 fire units from the Miami-Dade Rescue Team and the US Coast Guard were mobilized to the scene to rescue victims.

Many people trapped in the water were put on lifeboats and transported to local hospitals. Air rescue teams also participated in bringing victims to safety.

Leo, a witness who claimed to be on the accident yacht (model 4400 Express about 12 m long) said the cause of the explosion could be a gas leak.

“It was the worst experience of my life,” this person shared.

Patrick Lee, a local train driver, witnessed people being thrown off the train with serious burns. He said when he looked back, at least three people fell from the train amid thick smoke.

According to Lee’s experience, the captain’s fault was because when the passengers boarded the ship, he turned the ignition key, did not open the engine hatch, and did not turn on the ventilation fan system. This leads to an explosion, knocking everyone off the ship.

Firefighters determined that the explosion may have come from the ship’s fuel tank. The captain was not injured.

A few hours after the incident, the ship was brought to dock near Haulover Maritime Center. According to the US Coast Guard database, this ship is licensed for recreational use.

A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Lifeguard reminded the community to prioritize safety during beach season by having fire extinguishers and mandatory equipment.

The Cruisers Yachts 4400 Express in the accident is a luxury sports yacht manufactured by the American brand Cruisers Yachts. The ship model is designed for short vacations or parties at sea.

On weekends, the Haulover Sandbar area attracts hundreds of private yachts anchored close together to hold parties. The majority of vessels are registered for recreational purposes, about 5% are commercial vessels used for transport and fishing purposes.