Bolivia: Deadly explosion rocks military base in Viacha

An explosion at a military base in Viacha, Bolivia, on Friday claimed at least 10 lives and left 59 injured, according to local authorities. The blast, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time, took place at a site used for storing pyrotechnic materials in the western city, located about 30 kilometers from the capital, La Paz. The exact cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano reported that 52 of the injured were civilians, while the remaining 7 were military personnel. Viacha health director Rita Nebraska stated that fatalities may range from 10 to 15 individuals. Fourteen of the wounded were transported to La Paz hospitals, including a girl suffering from third-degree burns.

Rescuers, medical teams, and ambulances have been dispatched to the site to assist the injured and evaluate the extent of the damage. Several homes sustained damage as windows were shattered by the blast, and a heat source at the site remained a concern for firefighters, warning of the potential for another explosion. They urged residents to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters from the affected area.