Florida officials confirm Quebec man’s death in Fort Lauderdale boat explosion

By The Canadian Press on December 25, 2024.

MONTREAL – 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.

Fire rescue officials say they don’t know what caused the explosion.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 25, 2024.

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