At least 10 individuals lost their lives, and numerous others sustained injuries on Friday following an explosion at a military facility in Viacha, Bolivia, located approximately 30 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz, as confirmed by local officials. The incident, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time, took place in an area designated for storing pyrotechnic materials, according to authorities.
While the exact cause is still under investigation, officials have indicated that the explosion originated from the defense ministry’s supply of fireworks. Rita Nebraska, the health director in Viacha, stated in a television interview 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.
Police reported that over 50 people were hurt, and many residences suffered damage, primarily due to shattered windows caused by the explosion. Ambulances, medical teams, and law enforcement were dispatched to the military complex to evaluate the extent of the damage and safely evacuate the injured to medical facilities.
Nebraska cautioned that a heat source still posed a risk of another explosion at the site, advising residents to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters as a precautionary measure.