Bolivia military base explosion kills ten

An explosion at a military base in Viacha, western Bolivia, has resulted in at least ten fatalities and dozens of injuries. The blasts occurred at the RAM-2 "Bolívar" military complex, approximately thirty kilometers from La Paz. Health officials reported ten to fifteen individuals are believed to have died, with sixty-two confirmed injured. Fourteen of the wounded, including a young girl with severe burns, were transferred to specialized hospitals in La Paz.Authorities state the explosion originated from Defence Ministry pyrotechnic material storage. The exact cause remains under investigation, but officials described an initial blast involving black powder that triggered a more powerful secondary detonation. This caused widespread property damage, shattering windows and damaging dozens of homes within a one-kilometer radius of the complex.Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano confirmed casualties, noting fifty-two of the injured were civilians, the remainder military personnel. Emergency teams rapidly deployed to provide aid and evacuate the wounded to local health centers. Thick black smoke billowed from the city center barracks.Firefighters warn a heat source persists at the site, indicating continued risk of further explosions; residents are advised to maintain a safe distance. Municipal authorities in Viacha declared three days of mourning. President Rodrigo Paz extended condolences and ordered a transparent investigation, with the government pledging to await full findings before determining responsibility.