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

An explosion at a Bolivian military base in Viacha on Friday left at least 10 people dead and dozens injured, according to local authorities. The blast occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time in a facility used to store pyrotechnic material. While the cause is still under investigation, officials stated that the explosion originated from the defense ministry's fireworks stockpile.

Viacha health director Rita Nebraska reported that between 10 and 15 fatalities were suspected, with 62 people sustaining injuries. Forty-four of the wounded were transported to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl with third-degree burns. Police confirmed that over 50 individuals were injured, and numerous homes were damaged, primarily due to shattered windows from the blast.

Emergency services, including ambulances, medical teams, and police, were dispatched to the military complex to evaluate the damage and transport the wounded to nearby health centers. Notably, firefighters warned that a heat source remained at the scene, posing a risk of another potential explosion and advising residents to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters.