US Coast Guard: Yacht with 21 people aboard explodes off New Jersey, injuries reported

SANDY HOOK, N.J. – The U.S. Coast Guard says a motor yacht with several people aboard has exploded in waters off New Jersey and has sunk. It says there are media reports of at least seven injuries but it hasn’t confirmed any.

Authorities say 21 people were aboard the Blind Date when the blast occurred Monday afternoon. The yacht was about 17 nautical miles (27 kilometres) due east of Sandy Hook at the time and soon sank. A Coast Guard spokesman says everyone aboard apparently made it on to life rafts.

Numerous Coast Guard crews and two New York City police helicopters have been dispatched to the scene. Several emergency response crews are waiting at Sandy Hook, a popular getaway spot for New York residents because it’s just a short ferry ride from lower Manhattan.

The cause of the blast is unknown.