Yacht Explodes in Atlantic; Passengers Abandon Ship

A yacht explosion off the New Jersey shore today seriously burned several passengers and forced nearly two dozen to jump ship, the Star-Ledger reports. Police and Coast Guard vessels are both en route, but few details are known. The first emergency call described the yacht, the Blind Date, as exploding and sinking 17 miles off the coast. About nine passengers were reportedly burned, and some abandoned ship in lifeboats. Two good Samaritan boats are lending a hand. (More yachts stories.)