Dozens hurt, at least 10 dead in explosion at Bolivian military barracks

At least ten individuals lost their lives and sixty-two others sustained injuries following an explosion at a Bolivian army base in Viacha, the western city of Bolivia, reported local authorities. The devastating blast occurred around 2:30pm at a military complex where pyrotechnic materials were kept. Although the exact cause remains undetermined, officials revealed that it originated from the defense ministry's fireworks stockpile.

Rita Nebraska, the Viacha health director, informed local television that the death toll ranged between ten and fifteen. Among the wounded, fourteen were airlifted to hospitals in La Paz, one of whom suffered third-degree burns. Police reported that numerous residences in the vicinity were damaged, mostly due to shattered windows from the explosion.

Prior to the incident, Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano shared on social media that 52 of the injured were civilians, with the remaining victims being military personnel. Footage posted on social media depicted a thick column of black smoke rising from the barracks, which is located in the city center. Emergency services, including ambulances, medical teams, and police, rushed to the military site to evaluate the damage and transport the injured to healthcare facilities.

Health officials cautioned that a heat source persisted at the site, posing the risk of another explosion, and advised residents to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters. An investigation has commenced to ascertain the cause of the explosion. Viacha, located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Bolivia's administrative capital, La Paz, is home to roughly 100,000 residents.