Moments of terror unfolded last Thursday in Gamat Bay, near the island of Nusa Penida in Indonesia, when a snorkeling boat named "Naomi" suddenly exploded and burst into flames during a tourist excursion.
According to a report by the ANTARA news agency, the boat was carrying four foreign tourists and crew members and was on its way out of the bay after visiting several diving sites in the area. At around 1:40 p.m., a loud explosion was heard from one of the boat's compartments, and flames spread rapidly.
The guide and the four tourists jumped into the water to escape the fire. After about an hour and fifteen minutes, a passing boat arrived and rescued the passengers and crew. All survived the incident, though the captain, a 31-year-old island resident, suffered burns to his legs and was taken for medical treatment at the local hospital.
According to reports, the boat had undergone maintenance and repairs before the voyage, and the condition of the technical equipment and safety measures had been checked before departure.
Local police estimate that the explosion may have been caused by a component in the boat's battery, but the exact circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.
