December 23, 2024 06:13 AM

Florida Deck Collapses: 24 Injured at South Florida Sports Bar [VIDEO]

At a crowded sports bar in Biscayne Bay, Florida, a deck collapsed as sports bar fans watched the NBA finals.

CNN reported that the packed desk collapsed spilling people into the water. There were about 100 people on the deck of Shuckers Bar & Grill said Miami-Dade Fire Lt. Eugene Germain to reporters.

That was a big gathering watching the Miami Heat and Spurs," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokeswoman Griselle Marino to FOX News. "There were a lot of TVs and everybody was in celebration and it was loud. So when it started happening, some people didn't even realize what was going on."

Authorities treated 24 people. Three of the 24 have critical injuries. There were also recue divers on the scene.

The Sun Sentinel reported that there were as many as two dozen individuals injured and by 11:20 p.m. 15 people had been transported to various hospitals. Another fire captain said to The Sun Sentinel that one person might be missing.

The collapse occurred just after 10 p.m. ET. The bar is connected to a Best Western Hotel. The Associated Press reported that "Lt. Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire-Rescue said late Thursday that 100 people fell into the water. He said rescuers pulled patrons from the bay, and that divers were searching waters underneath the collapsed deck as helicopters shined spotlights onto the area."

The Associated Press reported that Martin Torres, who witnessed the incident, said that he heard a loud explosion when he was inside the bar with his family and friends. He first thought a boat hit the deck when he heard the desk collapse but then he saw people staring up from the water.

"It was shock," said Torres to the AP. "People were yelling. Nobody knew. People came out all wet. They were crying. For a while, nobody knows what was going on."

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