{
  "id": 5732281,
  "title": "Bolivia barracks blast leaves at least 10 dead",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/bolivia-barracks-blast-leaves-at-least-10-dead",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T05:15:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Arabian Post",
    "slug": "arabian-post",
    "url": "https://thearabianpost.com/bolivia-barracks-blast-leaves-at-least-10-dead/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An explosion at a military barracks in Viacha, Bolivia, on Friday resulted in at least 10 deaths and over 60 injuries, according to authorities. The blast occurred at around 2:30pm local time at the Centro General de Mantenimiento of the RAM-2 \"Bolívar\" artillery unit, where pyrotechnic material belonging to the Defence Ministry was kept. The precise cause of the explosion remains unclear, and an investigation is underway. Viacha health director Rita Nebraska reported the death toll to be between 10 and 15, with 62 people injured. Fourteen of the wounded were taken to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl with third-degree burns. The casualty figures fluctuated as emergency crews investigated the damaged compound and gathered reports from surrounding neighborhoods. Police initially confirmed two deaths, 59 injuries, and seven people missing, while government information put the injured at 58. Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano stated that most of the initially reported injuries were among civilians. Emergency services deployed to Viacha included firefighters, police, military personnel, and ambulance crews. Authorities advised residents to stay at least 150 meters away from the blast site due to a heat source still present in the damaged storage zone, which raised concerns about further potential detonations. The explosion sent a thick column of black smoke into the air and shattered windows in nearby homes. The military facility, located in an urban area of Viacha about 30 kilometers from La Paz, was used for maintenance activities related to the RAM-2 \"Bolívar\" unit. Officials secured the affected storage area and assessed the damage to the compound and surrounding structures. Investigations aimed to determine the cause of the explosion, the quantity and condition of the pyrotechnic material, and whether storage procedures had been followed.",
  "summary": "At least 10 people were killed and more than 60 injured after an explosion tore through a military barracks in Viacha, west of Bolivia’s capital La Paz, on Friday, authorities said. The blast occurred at about 2.30pm local time at the Centro General de Mantenimiento of the RAM-2 “Bolívar” artillery unit, where pyrotechnic material belonging to the Defence Ministry was stored. Officials said the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Two dead, 81 hurt after blasts rock Bolivia army barracks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/two-dead-81-hurt-after-blasts-rock-bolivia-army-barracks",
        "published": "2026-09-05T06:52:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}