At least 60 people were injured and 10 people died Friday when pyrotechnic material ‘accidentally’ exploded at a military barracks in Viacha, La Paz department, according to Bolivia’s government and regional health authorities.

The blast occurred at around 2:30 p.m. local time at the General Maintenance Center of the Motorized Air Regiment 2 (RAM-2) “Bolívar,” located about 35 kilometers from the city of La Paz.

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The Ministry of Defense said in a statement that the detonated material corresponded to fireworks and was part of the ministry’s assignment and inventory. It added that the affected area has been secured and that actions are underway to determine the circumstances of the explosion and assess the damage.

La Paz departmental health director José Martín Carrasco said the 52 injured include civilians, military personnel, pre-military personnel and some police officers. They were taken to hospitals in La Paz and El Alto. Eight people suffered injuries “of great magnitude,” and six minors sustained lacerating wounds to their legs and back, though none are in serious condition.

Muertos y decenas de heridos en una fuerte explosión en cuartel militar en Bolivia

Según las autoridades, el incidente ocurrió en una instalación que tenía almacenado material pirotécnico. pic.twitter.com/gocgZzWb6e

— RT en Español (@ActualidadRT) September 5, 2026

The Governor’s Office of La Paz activated all emergency and contingency protocols to guarantee the transfer and medical care of the wounded.

The preliminary report from the Ministry of Defense does not yet establish how much pyrotechnic material was stored, what caused the explosion, or the total value of material losses.

Local media and social media videos showed frightened residents and visible damage, mainly broken windows, in homes near the barracks.

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