At least ten individuals lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries on Friday following a blast at a military facility in the Bolivian town of Viacha, located approximately 30 kilometers from La Paz, as per local officials. The explosion, which took place around 2:30 p.m. local time, happened in a section designated for storing pyrotechnic materials, authorities reported. Although the exact cause is yet to be determined, authorities pointed out that the explosion originated from the stockpile of fireworks belonging to the defense ministry.
Rita Nebraska, the health director in Viacha, informed local media that between 10 to 15 individuals were presumed to have perished in the incident, with 62 people sustaining injuries. Fourteen of the injured were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, with one young girl suffering from third-degree burns. Police mentioned that over 50 individuals were injured, and many residences suffered damage, mainly due to shattered windows from the explosion.
Ambulances, medical teams, and law enforcement were dispatched to the military complex to evaluate the extent of the damage and transport the injured to medical facilities. Nebraska cautioned that a heat source was still present at the site, increasing the risk of another explosion, and advised residents to keep a distance of at least 150 meters as a precaution.