Two Sailboat Crew Members Injured After Explosion of a Rented Boat's Engine

Two crew members of a sailboat, a 30-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, both from the United Kingdom, were injured this Sunday with second-degree burns on their faces and arms after an explosion occurred in the engine of a rented boat they were operating at the Club de Mar in the Port of Palma.

According to the Balearic Port Authority (APB), the incident happened shortly before noon on Sunday when two crew members of the sailboat Maximus, a 30-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, both from the United Kingdom, were operating a rented boat. Initially, it was believed to be the sailboat's auxiliary, but this was later ruled out. The engine of the rented boat exploded, causing them to fall into the sea.

Other crew members of the sailboat noticed and rushed to rescue the injured from the water. The injured presented second-degree burns on their faces and arms and were initially treated by ambulances at the Club de Mar in the Port of Palma. They were then transferred to the Clínica Rotger.

The other crew members also attempted to extinguish the flames of the rented boat but were unsuccessful. Consequently, they proceeded to untie it, leaving it adrift.

A large column of smoke emerged from the boat that suffered the explosion, which could be seen from a distance. Maritime Rescue and Port Police intervened.

As a result of the fire, the boat eventually sank in the harbor.

Therefore, the sinking location was marked, and the Port of Palma's Maritime Interior Plan (PIM) was activated to prevent negative environmental effects.

After confirming that no negative environmental effects resulted from the incident, the PIM was deactivated, and maritime traffic was authorized to continue.