Canadian man killed in Florida boat explosion: reports

U.S. media outlets are reporting that it was a Quebec man who died in a boat explosion in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this week.

Several local media outlets are quoting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as saying 41-year-old Sebastien Gauthier died after the explosion at the Lauderdale Marina on Monday.

Rescue workers also transported five people to local hospitals, three with traumatic injuries.

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The sixth person who was missing in the water was located after a lengthy search and was found dead, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said on X. 

Global Affairs Canada said it was aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Miami, but did not share any further details.

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“Consular officials in Miami are in contact with the family and are providing consular assistance,” the department told Global News in an emailed statement Wednesday evening.

“Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed.”

Global News also reached out to FWC for confirmation about the deceased and more details about the incident, but did not receive an immediate response on Wednesday.

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.

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

— with files from Global News’ Saba Aziz