A devastating explosion at a military barracks in Bolivia had killed at least 10 people and injured more than 60 others, local officials said. The blast took place on Friday afternoon at a military barracks in Viacha, about 30 km (20 miles) from the capital city of La Paz.
The blast took place at 2:30 p.m. local time in an area in which pyrotechnics were stored. Initial reports suggested that the blast might have been linked to a stockpile of fireworks and other pyrotechnic supplies that Bolivia’s Ministry of Defence was working with. The explosion was so powerful that the military base and nearby residential areas were destroyed, officials say.
Death Toll May Rise
Viacha health director Rita Nebraska says fatalities may be 10 to 15 and 62 were injured. Most were severely burned and injured in the blast. Fourteen people were admitted to hospitals in La Paz for treatment, one of them a 14-year-old girl who sustained third-degree burns.
Emergency response vehicles - ambulances, firefighters, police and medical personnel - rushed to the scene shortly after the explosion. Rescuers worked late in the evening to evacuate the injured and assess the damage. There are also those in the affected areas looking for people trapped in rubble, authorities say.
Homes Damaged by Shockwave
The blast was felt far from the military installation in the area of the blast. Residents heard many loud explosions, and some said the second blast was much stronger than the first. Windows were shattered, walls were damaged, and debris scattered across nearby homes and streets.
Witnesses posted videos on social media of smoke rising from the military compound and emergency vehicles moving in and out of the area. Local authorities quickly established a security perimeter around the compound and ordered residents to stay away from it.
Risk of Further Explosions
Firefighters said a heat source continues to be active in the affected area and more explosions could occur. Residents should stay at least 150 meters away from the site until the area is declared safe, a firefighting chief said.
Investigation Launched
The Defence Ministry of Bolivia has ordered a full investigation into the incident. The storage conditions of the pyrotechnic materials and safety protocols at the facility are under investigation, officials said.
The explosion has shocked the nation and raised questions about the safety of hazardous materials at military bases. Rescues and recovery efforts are not over; the focus is on finding victims and the cause of one of Bolivia’s deadliest military-base accidents in recent years.
