At least one person is dead, and more than a dozen others are injured, after a casino shuttle boat went up in flames Sunday afternoon in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida, officials said Monday.
A woman died late Sunday, hours after the fire, while another 14 people were injured, a hospital spokesperson said. The casino shuttle was carrying a total of more than 50 passengers.
Passengers had experienced chest pain, smoke inhalation and other injuries. Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point officials said eight other people treated at Bayonet Point have been released.
Authorities responded to the scene around 4:00 p.m. after receiving a call that the San Cruz casino boat caught fire.
New Port Richey Chief of Police Gerard DeCanio said the shuttle boat's crew detected engine problems and decided to turn back.