At least 10 individuals lost their lives, and numerous others sustained injuries on Friday following a blast at a military facility in Viacha, Bolivia, located approximately 30 kilometers from La Paz, according to local officials. The explosion occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time in an area designated for storing pyrotechnic materials, authorities confirmed.
While the exact cause is still under investigation, officials revealed that the explosion originated from the defense ministry’s supply of fireworks. Rita Nebraska, the health director in Viacha, stated in a televised interview that the incident resulted in the deaths of between 10 to 15 individuals, with 62 others sustaining injuries. Fourteen of the wounded were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, including a young girl with severe third-degree burns.
Police reported that over 50 individuals were injured, and multiple residences suffered damage, mainly due to shattered windows from the explosion. Ambulances, medical teams, and law enforcement personnel were dispatched to the military compound to evaluate the extent of the damage and assist in evacuating the injured to medical facilities.
Nebraska cautioned that a potential heat source still existed at the site, increasing the risk of another explosion, and advised residents to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters as a safety precaution.