At Least 10 Killed in Explosion at Military Barracks in Bolivia

At least 10 people were killed and 62 others injured in a massive explosion at a military barracks in Bolivia.

The explosion occurred on Friday (September 4) in the municipality of Viacha, about 30 kilometers from the capital, La Paz, according to local authorities.

The blast occurred at around 2:30 p.m. local time in an area of the military facility where fireworks and other pyrotechnic materials were stored.

The cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed. However, officials suspect that the blast originated from a stockpile of fireworks stored by the Ministry of Defense.

Rita Nebraska, director of the Viacha Health Department, said 10 to 15 people may have died in the incident. Of the 62 injured, 14 were taken to hospitals in La Paz.

The blast shattered windows of several nearby homes and damaged various structures. Ambulances, medical teams and police were deployed to the military complex following the incident.

Firefighters warned that heat sources were still present at the site, raising fears of another explosion. Local residents were therefore urged to stay at least 150 meters away from the area.