Explosion at Bolivia military base kills at least 10, dozens injured - Reuters

An explosion ripped through a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 kilometres north‑west of La Paz, on Friday afternoon. The blast, which struck at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT), occurred in a section of the complex used to store pyrotechnic material, and officials said it appears to have originated from the defence ministry’s fireworks stockpile.

Local health authorities reported that the death toll stands between ten and fifteen people, while the number of injured is placed at more than fifty. One source gave a figure of 62 injured, of whom fourteen were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl suffering third‑degree burns. Another report cited “over 58” injured, reflecting the slight variation in the available counts.

Emergency responders, including ambulances, medical teams and police, were dispatched to the site to assess damage, evacuate the wounded and secure the area. Police indicated that dozens of nearby homes suffered damage, primarily from shattered windows caused by the blast’s shockwave.

Firefighters warned that a residual heat source remained at the military complex, raising the risk of a secondary explosion. Residents in the vicinity were instructed to keep a distance of at least 150 metres from the site until it is declared safe.

The incident is under investigation, with authorities yet to determine the precise cause of the explosion. Further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses.