Bolivia military base explosion death toll rises to 3

Local daily Eldever and AFP reported on the 6th (local time) that the death toll from an explosion at a military base in Bolivia has increased to three.

According to reports, the accident occurred on the afternoon of the 4th at an explosives storage facility at the maintenance center of the Bolivar Mechanized Artillery Regiment in Biazza City, about 35 km away from the capital La Paz. Two consecutive powerful explosions have left 3 people dead, 14 missing, and 84 injured.

All of the dead are soldiers. Following the death of two new recruits in their first year of service, one additional body was recovered during the search for the wreckage. It was confirmed that the 14 missing people were also 1 non-commissioned officer and 13 new soldiers.

Due to the impact of the explosion, the roof of the base building was blown off, nearby trees were uprooted, and windows of dozens of nearby houses were broken, resulting in extensive damage and forcing residents to temporarily evacuate.

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said, “The risk at the site remains high as unexploded hazardous materials remain.”

Military authorities and rescue teams are controlling the risk of a secondary accident and are conducting searches for missing people and removing debris. Bolivian prosecutors have formed a dedicated investigation team and are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident.