Blast at Bolivia military base kills 10
Photo: REUTERS
Local authorities confirmed that a powerful blast at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha killed at least 10 people and injured dozens of others on Friday.
The explosion ripped through an area designated for storing pyrotechnic materials at around 2:30 pm local time. Although officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the incident, they noted that the detonation started within the defense ministry’s fireworks stockpile.
Speaking to local television, Viacha Health Director Rita Nebraska said officials believe between 10 and 15 people lost their lives in the tragedy, while 62 people sustained injuries. She explained that emergency responders transferred 14 of the injured victims to hospitals in La Paz, including a young girl who suffered third-degree burns.
Meanwhile, the police reported that the blast injured more than 50 people and damaged dozens of residential homes, primarily due to windows shattering from the shockwave. First responders, including ambulances, medical teams, and police officers, quickly rushed to the military compound to evaluate the destruction and transport the injured to various medical facilities.
Nebraska also revealed that firefighters issued a stark warning regarding an active heat source still lingering at the disaster site, which significantly elevates the threat of a secondary detonation.
As a result, authorities strongly advised local residents to maintain a safety distance of at least 150 meters from the military complex.
Source: Reuters (adapted)
