BOAT EXPLODES IN LONG ISLAND SOUND, 3 INJURED, 19 HAD TO SWIM TO SURVIVE

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
BOAT EXPLODES IN LONG ISLAND SOUND, 3 INJURED, 19 HAD TO SWIM TO SURVIVE

A boat burst into flames last night off the Bronx coast, turning a routine trip into a full-blown emergency.

The explosion sent all 22 passengers into the Long Island Sound.

19 swam to nearby Hart Island while 3 were pulled from the water by rescuers.

1 remains in critical condition. All are expected to recover.

The fire sent heavy black smoke into the sky, visible for blocks.

A witness said the smoke lasted nearly 10 minutes.

The Coast Guard brought survivors to City Island, where emergency crews were waiting.

The City Island bridge was temporarily closed to speed up the rescue.

Officials say the vessel was large enough to carry two dozen people but haven’t said what kind of boat it was.

The blast sparked the fire, but the exact cause is still under investigation.

Source: NY Post