Explosion at Bolivian military base kills at least 10 and injures dozens

At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured Friday when an explosion struck a military barracks in Viacha, Bolivia, about 30 kilometers from La Paz.

Authorities said the blast occurred at around 2:30 p.m. local time in an area used to store pyrotechnic material. The cause had not been established, but officials said the explosion originated from the Defense Ministry’s fireworks stockpile.

Viacha health director Rita Nebraska told local television that between 10 and 15 people were believed to have died and that 62 people were injured. Fourteen of the wounded were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl with third-degree burns. Police separately said more than 50 people were injured and that dozens of homes were damaged, mainly by shattered windows.

Ambulances, medical teams and police went to the military complex to assess the damage and evacuate the wounded. Nebraska said firefighters had warned that a heat source remained at the site, creating a risk of another explosion, and urged residents to remain at least 150 meters away.