Explosion at Bolivian military barracks kills at least 10, injures 62
Quick Look
- At least 10 people were killed and 62 injured in an explosion at a military barracks in Viacha, Bolivia, on Friday.
- The blast originated from a fireworks stockpile at the defence ministry facility, damaging homes and sending civilians and military personnel to hospitals in La Paz.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The explosion occurred at a military facility in Viacha used to store pyrotechnic material, with the blast originating from the defence ministry’s fireworks stockpile.
At least 10 people were killed and 62 injured on Friday after an explosion at a military barracks in the western Bolivian city of Viacha, local authorities said.
The blast took place at around 2.30pm at a military facility used to store pyrotechnic material. While the cause has yet to be established, officials said the blast originated from the defence ministry’s fireworks stockpile.
Viacha health director Rita Nebraska told local television that between 10 and 15 people were believed to have died in the incident. She added that 14 of the wounded were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl with third-degree burns.
Police said dozens of homes in the surrounding area were damaged, largely by windows shattered in the blast.
Earlier on Friday, Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano wrote on social media that 52 of those injured were civilians, while the remainder were military personnel.
Video footage shared on social media showed a column of thick black smoke billowing from the barracks, which is in the city centre.
Open Questions
- What caused the explosion at the fireworks stockpile?
- Were there any safety violations at the storage facility?
- Will there be an official investigation into the incident?
