Explosion at Bolivia military base kills at least 2, 14 missing, ministry says
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The blast occurred at around 2.30pm local time (2.30am Singapore time on Sept 5) in an area used to store pyrotechnic material.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- An explosion at a military barracks in Viacha, Bolivia, killed at least two people and injured over 50, with 14 missing and dozens of homes damaged.
- The blast originated from the defence ministry’s fireworks stockpile around 2.30pm local time on September 4, with the cause yet to be determined.
- Emergency teams were deployed to treat and evacuate the wounded, while firefighters warned of a heat source that could cause another explosion, urging residents to keep a safe distance.
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LA PAZ – At least two people were killed and dozens injured on Sept 4 after an explosion at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30km from La Paz, Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said.
The blast occurred at around 2.30pm local time (2.30am Singapore time on Sept 5) in an area used to store pyrotechnic material, the authorities said.
While the cause has yet to be established, officials said the blast originated from the defence ministry’s fireworks stockpile.
Earlier, 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 150m away. REUTERS
