At least 10 individuals lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries on Friday following a blast at a military facility in Viacha, Bolivia, located approximately 30 kilometers from La Paz, as per local officials. The explosion took place at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time in an area designated for storing pyrotechnic materials, authorities confirmed. While the exact cause is yet to be determined, authorities stated that the blast was linked to the defense ministry’s collection of fireworks.

The health director of Viacha, Rita Nebraska, reported to local media that an estimated 10 to 15 individuals perished in the incident, with 62 individuals sustaining injuries. Fourteen of the injured were transported to hospitals in La Paz, including a young girl with severe burns. Police indicated that over 50 individuals were injured, with many residences sustaining damage primarily due to shattered windows from the explosion.

Emergency response teams, including ambulances, medical personnel, and law enforcement, were dispatched to the military site to evaluate the extent of the damage and facilitate the evacuation of the injured to medical facilities. Nebraska cautioned that a heat source remained at the scene, heightening the risk of a subsequent explosion, and urged residents to maintain a safe distance of at least 150 meters.