World

Explosion at Bolivia military base kills at least 10

By Kylie Madry

Sep 5, 2026

Explosion at military barracks in Bolivia — Bolivian officials say the blast originated from the defence ministry's fireworks stockpile. -EPA

At least 10 people have been killed and dozens more ‌injured in an explosion at a military barracks ‌in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30km from the capital La Paz.

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The blast occurred around 2.30pm on Friday 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.

She said 62 people had been ⁠injured.

Fourteen of ‌those 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.