Explosion at military base in Viacha, Bolivia, results in casualties

At least ten people were killed and dozens more injured after an explosion ripped through a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 kilometres from the capital La Paz, on Friday afternoon. The blast occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. in a section of the complex used to store pyrotechnic material, according to local authorities.

Health officials in Viacha reported that between ten and fifteen fatalities are believed to have resulted from the incident, and that 62 people were injured. Fourteen of the wounded, including a girl with third‑degree burns, were transferred to hospitals in La Paz for treatment. Police figures indicated that more than 50 people sustained injuries, while emergency services deployed ambulances, medical teams and police to the site to assess damage and evacuate the injured.

The shockwave from the explosion shattered windows and caused structural damage to dozens of nearby civilian homes. Police noted that the blast also damaged residential windows, prompting concerns about further hazards in the surrounding neighbourhood.

While the precise cause of the explosion has not yet been established, officials have indicated that the blast originated from the defence ministry’s fireworks stockpile stored at the base. Firefighters on the scene warned that a heat source remained at the site, raising the risk of a secondary explosion, and they urged residents to stay at least 150 metres away from the area.

Local authorities have ordered the evacuation of the immediate vicinity and are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. The Bolivian government has not released further details about the response or any potential accountability for the storage of the pyrotechnic material.

Bolivia, a landlocked nation in central South America bordered by Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Paraguay, has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged support for those affected by the disaster.