At Least Two Dead, Over 50 Injured in Explosions at Bolivian Military Base

At least two people were killed and more than 50 others sustained injuries after two explosions struck a military base in the western Bolivian city of Viacha on Friday afternoon. The blast occurred in a sector of the army barracks used to store pyrotechnic materials, damaging nearby civilian homes and prompting an emergency response.

The incident took place at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT) in Viacha, located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of La Paz. Authorities confirmed that pyrotechnics were housed at the site, but official investigations have not yet established what caused the materials to detonate.

Casualties and Conflicting Fatalities Estimates

Official accounts regarding the total casualties differ between emergency services and local administrative figures. Police spokespersons confirmed at least two deaths at the site, while police spokesman Roger Roca stated that seven people remain missing. However, Viacha health director Rita Nebraska told local television that total fatalities could end up between 10 and 15 people.

Addressing the injured, Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano published a statement on Facebook clarifying that 52 of those hurt were civilians, while the remaining casualties were military personnel. Medical teams evacuated 14 of the wounded to hospitals in nearby La Paz. Nebraska reported that those transferred included a young girl receiving treatment for third-degree burns.

Property Damage and Ongoing Blast Hazards

The impact of the twin explosions extended beyond the boundary walls of the military facility. Law enforcement reported that several neighboring residences sustained structural damage, mainly consisting of shattered windows caused by the shockwave.

Emergency services dispatched rescue teams, medical personnel, and fleets of ambulances to assist victims and survey the destruction. Operations faced immediate security obstacles when firefighters identified a lingering heat source at the blast site. Officials warned that the residual heat presented a direct risk of igniting further explosions and instructed nearby residents to stay at least 150 meters away from the area.

Investigation into the Detonation

While the Bolivian Ministry of Defense confirmed that pyrotechnic material was stored at the barracks in Viacha, officials have not offered details on safety protocols or potential triggers. Law enforcement and military investigators are evaluating the site to establish the cause of the explosion once firefighters deem the area safe.

Background

Viacha is a city in the La Paz Department of western Bolivia, serving as an administrative and industrial hub on the Altiplano plateau. Its proximity to La Paz makes it a key strategic location for military logistics and garrison facilities in the region.