Viacha (Bolivia), Sept 05: A massive explosion at a military base in Bolivia in South America has killed 10 people and injured more than 62. The tragedy occurred at around 2:30 pm at a military barracks in the city of Viacha in western Bolivia. Here are the details of the incident:
What happened?
The primary cause of the massive explosion was an accidental fire in fireworks and pyrotechnics stored in a warehouse belonging to the Ministry of Defense in the city of Viacha, about 30 kilometers from the Bolivian capital, La Paz.
The intensity of the explosion was such that the entire area was shaken. The military and police have launched a joint investigation into the exact cause of the fire and how such a large quantity of fireworks was stored beyond safety regulations.
According to local health director Rita Nebraska, 10 to 15 people are suspected to have died in the incident, and 52 of the 62 injured are civilians, while the rest are military personnel. The seriously injured have been admitted to hospitals in the city of La Paz.
Meanwhile, firefighters have warned that there is a risk of another explosion due to the still high temperatures at the scene. In this context, residents in the vicinity have been advised to stay at least 150 meters away.