Explosion at Bolivian military barracks kills at least 10, injures 62

An explosion at a military barracks storing pyrotechnic material in the Bolivian city of Viacha has killed at least 10 people and left 62 wounded, local authorities reported.

The blast occurred at around 2.30pm at the facility, which officials said housed the defence ministry's fireworks stockpile. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities have identified the fireworks depot as the source of the explosion.

Casualties and Emergency Response

Viacha health director Rita Nebraska told local television that between 10 and 15 people were believed to have died in the incident. Among the 62 injured, 14 were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl suffering from third-degree burns.

Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano wrote on social media that 52 of those injured were civilians, while the remainder were military personnel. The high civilian toll reflects the barracks' location in the city centre.

Widespread Damage

Police said dozens of homes in the surrounding area sustained damage, largely from windows shattered by the force of the blast. Video footage shared on social media showed a column of thick black smoke billowing from the barracks.

The explosion at the centrally located military facility underscores the risks posed by storing explosive pyrotechnic materials in populated urban areas, with the blast radius extending far enough to damage civilian homes across the neighbourhood.

Source: South China Morning Post