At least ten individuals lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries on Friday following an explosion at a military facility in Viacha, Bolivia, approximately 30 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz, as reported by local officials. The incident, which took place at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time, occurred in an area designated for the storage of pyrotechnic materials, according to authorities.
While the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation, officials have indicated that it was triggered by the detonation of fireworks within the defense ministry’s stockpile. Rita Nebraska, the health director in Viacha, stated in an interview with local media that the tragedy resulted in the deaths of between 10 and 15 individuals, with 62 others sustaining injuries. Among the injured, 14 were transported to hospitals in La Paz, including a young girl with severe third-degree burns.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that over 50 individuals were wounded in the blast, with many homes sustaining damage primarily due to shattered windows. Ambulances, medical personnel, and police forces were dispatched to the military compound to evaluate the extent of the destruction and facilitate the transfer of the injured to medical facilities.
Nebraska also highlighted that firefighters had cautioned about the presence of a lingering heat source at the scene, heightening the risk of a secondary explosion, and advised residents to maintain a safe distance of at least 150 meters from the area.