The explosion occurred shortly after 1pm local time (6pm GMT)

At least 18 people have been seriously injured following an ‘explosion’ on a tourist ferry in the Mexican resort of Playa del Carmen.

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The ship was docked when the explosion occurred shortly after 1pm local time (6pm GMT).

According to witnesses, the ferry had arrived at the dock only about three minutes before the explosion was heard at the resort popular with British tourists.

Firefighters and other emergency crews rushed to extinguish the fumes while tending to the injured passengers.


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Dramatic footage shows the moment the explosion went off on the ferry.

The blast sent a fireball in the air and debris flying sideways from the ferry as it was moored to the dock with people nearby.

? #AlMomento ? Reportan decenas de lesionados por explosión en Ferry de la empresa @BarcosCaribe en la terminal marítima de #PlayaDelCarmen pic.twitter.com/vc0lvDHJdh — Periódico ESPACIO (@espacionoticias) February 21, 2018

Passengers were heard screaming and seen running out of the ship.

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In a statement, the municipal government said 15 of the wounded are Mexicans and three are Canadians.



They sustained cuts and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Barcos Caribe vessel was left with a gaping hole in its starboard side next to a passenger seating area.

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The government said the cause of the explosion was not yet known.

It added that service to the nearby resort island of Cozumel would continue with other ferry companies that

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