La Paz. At least 10 people were killed and more than 60 injured in a powerful explosion inside a military complex in Bolivia. According to local health director Rita Nebraska, the death toll is expected to reach 15.
The explosion occurred at around 2:30 pm local time on Friday at a military compound in the Viacha region, about 30 kilometers from the capital La Paz.
According to officials, the explosion took place in an area of the military compound where fireworks and pyrotechnic materials were stored. Although the explosion started from such materials kept in the storage of the Ministry of Defense, the actual cause is still not clear.
According to the Nebraska Health Director, 62 people were injured in the incident. 14 of the injured have been taken to a hospital in the capital city of La Paz for further treatment. Among the injured is a girl, who is said to have third-degree burns on a large part of her body.
According to the police, more than 50 people were injured in the blast. Due to the intensity of the explosion, dozens of houses around the military complex were also damaged and the windows of many houses were broken.
After the explosion, emergency services, ambulances, paramedics and police teams were mobilized to the scene. Officials have said that the injured will be taken to health institutions for treatment and rescue and relief work is underway in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, officials have warned that there is still a risk of another explosion at the site. Residents have been asked to stay at least 150 meters away from the scene after firefighters found a source of high temperatures inside the premises.
Officials say the priority now is to secure the scene, contain the risk of further explosions and ensure the treatment of the injured. A detailed investigation has been launched into the cause of the explosion.
