Rafah, Gaza—Flames engulfed a small wooden fishing boat operating two miles off the southern maritime boundary. Other fishermen in neighboring vessels watched thick black smoke billow from the stern before sounding the alarm.
The victim was trapped near the engine compartment when a fuel line ruptured and ignited instantly. Crew members from a nearby boat rushed to pull him from the burning watercraft.
Palestinian marine police and rescue boats towed the charred hull back to the dilapidated fishing harbor. Paramedics waited on the concrete pier to receive the injured fisherman upon arrival.
Medical staff at the local stabilization point confirmed he succumbed to severe thermal burns during transport. His body was transferred directly to the regional hospital morgue for documentation.
Colleagues stated that fuel shortages have forced local boat owners to use substandard, recycled diesel. Mechanical failures and electrical short circuits have become increasingly common across the aging fleet.
Naval restrictions limit local fishing boats to a narrow maritime zone close to the shoreline. Coast guard patrol vessels frequently fire warning shots or restrict movement within designated waters.
Family members gathered at the port gates to mourn the sudden loss of the veteran fisherman. Port authorities launched a preliminary inquiry into the mechanical cause of the onboard fire.
Fishermen burned candles on the docks as evening fell across the dark southern coastline. The destroyed wooden boat remains tied to a rusted bollard awaiting forensic examination.
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