**Explosion at Bolivia Military Base Kills at Least Two, 14 Missing**
An explosion at a military barracks in Viacha, Bolivia, has resulted in at least two fatalities and left 14 individuals unaccounted for, according to Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT) on Friday, in an area designated for the storage of pyrotechnic materials, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the capital city, La Paz.
The explosion has been linked to the defence ministry's stockpile of fireworks, although the exact cause of the blast remains under investigation. Initial reports from local authorities indicated that between 10 and 15 people may have died, with the number of injured reported to be around 62. Among the injured, 14 individuals, including a young girl suffering from severe third-degree burns, were transported to hospitals in La Paz for urgent medical care.
In the aftermath of the explosion, emergency services, including ambulances and medical teams, were rapidly deployed to the military complex to assess the situation and provide assistance to the wounded. Police confirmed that over 50 people sustained injuries, and the blast also caused significant damage to nearby homes, primarily through shattered windows.
Rita Nebraska, the health director of Viacha, provided updates on the situation, emphasizing the need for caution. Firefighters have warned that a residual heat source remains at the explosion site, which poses a risk of further explosions. As a precautionary measure, residents in the vicinity have been advised to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters from the area.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they work to locate the missing individuals and provide support to those affected by the explosion. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at military installations and the handling of hazardous materials.
As investigations proceed, the Bolivian government is expected to release further information regarding the cause of the explosion and the measures being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.