Tragedy at sea: Female tourist loses life in boat explosion

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A boating excursion turned deadly this weekend, leaving one American female tourist dead and 11 others seriously injured after the vessel exploded.

The tragedy unfolded shortly after 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, according to police, when the chartered Four Seas Adventure Boat was traveling through the Exuma Cays with 10 tourists and two Bahamian crew members on board.

The boat’s engine reportedly exploded.

According to health officials, six persons were transported by air ambulance to New Providence, where they were taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).

Four of the injured were transported by United States Coast Guard to Bayfront Health Services in Florida, for medical treatment.

Eyewitness News spoke to Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands who gave an update on the injured persons.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Exumas and Ragged Island Chester Cooper was on the ground in Exuma at the time of the incident and has called for a full investigation.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Tourism, the incident is being investigated by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), and the Bahamas Port Department (BPD).

“The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) is deeply saddened by yesterday’s tour boat incident in Exuma,” the statement read.

“We pray for the family of the passenger who succumbed to her injuries and offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends as they mourn her loss. Our prayers are also with all the other passengers who were aboard as they recover.”