Explosion at Bolivia military base kills at least 10, dozens injured

A massive explosion occurred at a military base in Bolivia, resulting in the deaths of at least ten individuals and injuring dozens more. The blast took place at a facility used for storing pyrotechnic material, located around 30 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz.

The explosion, which occurred on September 4th, is believed to have originated from the defense ministry's fireworks stockpile. Local authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the incident.

Rita Nebraska, the health director of Viacha, the municipality where the explosion took place, reported that the death toll ranged from 10 to 15 people. Sixty-two individuals sustained injuries, with 14 of them requiring hospitalization. One of the wounded suffered third-degree burns, necessitating transfer to a hospital in La Paz.

The aftermath of the explosion saw over 50 people injured and numerous homes damaged, primarily due to shattered windows. Emergency services, including ambulances, medical teams, and police, were promptly dispatched to the scene to evaluate the extent of the damage and transport the injured to nearby health centers.

Firefighters had previously warned that a heat source remained at the site, posing a heightened risk of another explosion. Authorities advised residents to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters from the affected area to ensure their safety.