A near tragedy took place in the port of Ponza, where a 9 metre boat exploded during refuelling operations at the pier.

The video went viral on social networks, filmed by the surveillance cameras in the port. In the video you can see a woman standing on the stern bridge of the boat, just finishing refuelling with petrol handing over the pump to the staff member on the pier, who pushes the vessel slightly away from the pier, so as to make it easier.

As soon as this is done, a violent explosion wracks the vessel, and a spurt of flames throws the woman into the sea. The shock wave, makes the staff member lose his balance, then fall onto the stern bridge and then into the sea.

The images continue showing a man, likely the woman’s husband, arriving from the bow, slipping on the stern, and falling into the sea, at the same time as a child onboard falls from midship. A few seconds later another explosion is heard followed by the screams of onlookers. The boat was quickly enveloped in flames, causing a thick cloud, a short distance from the “Carloforte” ferry that was docked in the port.

The Coast Guard is investigating the incident, but the current hypothesis is that the engine was turned on before opening the hatch in the machine room which  allows the fumes and fuel vapours to escape first. The three passengers, a man, woman and little girl, were only slightly injured with just a few scrapes, and no other serious physical injuries.

Video: Facebook

Giuseppe Orrù