Florida officials confirm Quebec man’s death in Fort Lauderdale boat explosion
Posted December 25, 2024 4:01 pm.
Last Updated December 27, 2024 9:33 am.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has confirmed a Quebec man has died after a boat explosion in Florida’s Broward County.
The FWC says its preliminary investigation in Fort Lauderdale shows a 37-foot vessel exploded on Monday after its engines were started, injuring all seven passengers on board.
One passenger was 41-year-old Sebastien Gauthier of Quebec, who died from his injuries.
The FWC says six other occupants were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Video posted on social media shows the vessel engulfed in flames following the explosion, with a thick column of black smoke billowing into the sky. Local media reported the explosion happened at the Lauderdale Marina, but the FWC release gives no such specifics.
FLFR extinguishing two fires after a boat exploded at the Lauderdale Marina. A total of six people injured. We transported five to area hospitals, three with traumatic injuries. The sixth was missing in the water and located by BSO after a lengthy search, deceased unfortunately. pic.twitter.com/Ctx677NHhS
— FLFR PIO (@FLFR411) December 24, 2024
Fire rescue officials say they don’t know what caused the explosion.
–This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 25, 2024.
