A devastating explosion rocked a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha on Friday afternoon, leaving at least 10 people dead and dozens more injured. The blast occurred around 2:30 p.m. in a facility used to house pyrotechnics, reportedly originating from a stockpile managed by the defense ministry. Local officials are still investigating the exact cause of the incident, which sent shockwaves through the community located roughly 30 kilometers outside of La Paz.

The impact of the explosion extended well beyond the base, shattering windows and damaging nearby homes. Rita Nebraska, the local health director, confirmed that approximately 62 people sustained injuries, with 14 victims requiring transfer to hospitals in La Paz, including a young girl suffering from severe burns. Emergency crews and medical personnel rushed to the scene to assist the wounded, while firefighters issued urgent warnings for residents to maintain a safe distance of at least 150 meters due to lingering heat sources that pose a high risk of secondary explosions.