A powerful explosion at an army barracks in Bolivia on Friday killed at least 10 people and injured 59 others, local authorities said. The blast occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT) in an area used for storing pyrotechnic materials, according to officials.

The explosion took place in the western city of Viacha, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the capital, La Paz, at a military base where fireworks were stored. The exact cause of the blast remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine what triggered the incident.

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said in a Facebook post that 52 of the injured were civilians, while the rest were military personnel. Viacha health director Rita Nebraska told local television that the death toll could range between 10 and 15 people.

Fourteen of the wounded were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl with third-degree burns, Nebraska added. Police spokesman Roger Roca reported that seven people are still missing.

The blast shattered windows and damaged several homes in the vicinity, according to police. 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 meters away.

Rescue teams, medical personnel, and ambulances have been deployed to the scene to assist the injured and assess the damage. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at military installations, and an investigation is ongoing.

Source: www.dw.com