Fire skadd in boat incident in Bamble

Police investigating a boat incident in Bamble on Wednesday evening say four people were hospitalized after likely carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.

The emergency response was launched shortly before 20:00 after reports of steering problems on a vessel in the area. A fireboat located the boat and rescued those on board.

Section Chief Annie Sandersen of Grenland Police Station told Dagbladet on Thursday that the injured are connected by family ties and that authorities consider the incident an accident.

“Our working hypothesis is poisoning from diesel or gasoline exhaust,” Sandersen said. “The smell of fuel at the scene and the condition of the victims support this.”

Health updates on the four individuals were not immediately available. Police said further investigation depends on medical assessments.