Dozens hurt, at least 10 dead in explosion at Bolivian military barracks

Dozens hurt, at least 10 dead in explosion at Bolivian military barracks

Authorities say blast occurred in area used to store pyrotechnic material

At least 10 people were killed and dozens more injured on Friday after an explosion at ‌a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 kilometres from La Paz, local authorities said.

The ​blast occurred at around 2:30 ​p.m. local time in an area used to store pyrotechnic material, authorities ​said.

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, while 62 people were injured. Fourteen of the wounded were transferred ‌to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl with third-degree burns, she said.

Police said more than 50 people were injured and ​dozens of homes damaged, largely by windows shattered in the ⁠blast.

Ambulances, medical teams and police were deployed ⁠to the military complex to assess the damage ⁠and ⁠evacuate the wounded to ​health centres.

Nebraska said firefighters had warned that a ​heat source remained ⁠at the site, raising the risk of another explosion, and urged residents to stay at least 150 metres away.