The explosion at the Bolivian artillery base killed 10 people and injured dozens

Bolivia A warehouse of explosives at an artillery base in the city of Viacha exploded, killing 10 people and injuring dozens.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of September 4 at the Maintenance Center of the RAM-2 "Bolivar" Mechanized Artillery Regiment, located in the city of Viacha in western Bolivia. The explosion was recorded in an area used for training and weapon repair, causing a fire and creating a shock wave that broke glass windows and damaged many houses near the barracks.

Video posted on social networks showed a column of black smoke rising from the barracks in the city center, before a large explosion erupted.

Viacha is located about 30-35 km southwest of Bolivia's administrative capital La Paz, and has a population of about 100,000 people.

Initial information from authorities also has differences.

Bolivia's Ministry of Defense initially announced that the explosion only caused damage to infrastructure and there were no casualties. Defense Secretary Ernesto Justiniano later said the explosion occurred in a "fireworks storage area" and injured at least 58 people, of whom 52 were civilians.

Viacha city authorities, regional health authorities and police reported deaths and injuries and many hospitals were overloaded.

Rita Nebraska, head of the local health agency, told Noticias Bolivision television that about 10-15 people died in the explosion. Bolivian Deputy Police Commander Roger Roca announced that there were at least 7 missing cases after the incident.

Rescuers are searching for people trapped in the rubble. The identities of those who died have not been determined. Many people present inside the barracks were conscripts. Bolivian authorities have opened an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion.