Apparent Bomb Explosion Injures Woman on Rhode Island Beach

Following an apparent explosion at Salty Brine Beach in Rhode Island, investigators are searching for a suspect they believe planted something in the sand and then fled up the beach toward Roger Williams State Beach.

Fed & #RI agencies investigate after explosion under sand at #SaltyBrine beach injures a woman Details @wpri12 @6! pic.twitter.com/EMF3Hp1lLh

— Chantee Lans (@ChanteeLans) July 11, 2015

The beach was being evacuated this afternoon as members of the state bomb squad opened an investigation. Witnesses said an explosion ignited from underneath the sand and flew a woman into the rocks. That woman, an unidentified 50-year-old, was taken to South County Hospital, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Salty Brine beach in Narragansett evacuated as bomb squad investigates possible explosion via … pic.twitter.com/bnZE0Om9us

— News Mayotte (@NewsMayotte) July 11, 2015

Rayna Maguire, A spokeswoman for DEM environmental enforcement, said there were no other reported injuries.

LATEST: #SaltyBrine still closed. Bomb squad investigating https://t.co/uDySwYr7Ma pic.twitter.com/23k31mY08n

— Providence Journal (@projo) July 11, 2015

A day earlier, “suspicious” fires engulfed three commercial fishing vessels at the Galilee state pier. When asked if this apparent explosion had any connection to those fires,  Sgt. Thomas Silvia, of DEM environmental enforcement said, said that report would be investigated.