Tragic Explosions at Bolivian Military Base in Viacha Leave at Least 10 Dead and Dozens Injured

Two devastating explosions at a military facility in the Bolivian city of Viacha have resulted in at least 10 fatalities and left dozens of individuals injured, according to authorities.

The incident took place on Friday within a zone utilized for storing pyrotechnic material, situated approximately 30km (18 miles) away from the administrative capital, La Paz, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.

Rita Nebraska, the Viacha health director, informed a local television station that the death toll is estimated between 10 and 15 people, with an additional 62 individuals sustaining injuries. Among the wounded, 14 were transported to hospitals in La Paz, which included a young girl suffering from third-degree burns.

Although fireworks were housed at the military facility, police spokesman Roger Roca stated that the precise cause of the blasts is still under active investigation. Roca also noted that seven people remain unaccounted for.

Warning that an active heat source is still present at the location, Nebraska relayed firefighters' advisories urging local residents to maintain a distance of at least 150 metres to protect against the hazard of secondary explosions.

According to police reports, numerous nearby residences sustained structural damage, and a significant number of civilians suffered injuries caused by shattered glass.

Ernesto Justiniano Urenda, the Deputy Minister of Defence, announced in a statement that approximately 50 civilians and six military personnel injured in the blasts have received medical attention across various medical centres in Viacha.

Urenda added that an ongoing investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the explosions, evaluate the storage methods of the pyrotechnic material, and assess potential accountability.

Footage shared on social media platforms captured the moment one of the blasts blew out windows in surrounding buildings, propelling debris into the atmosphere while heavy black smoke billowed from the facility.