At least 14 missing after explosions at Bolivian military base leave two dead, over 80 injured
Quick Look
- Two explosions at a military base in Viacha, Bolivia, killed two people, injured over 80, and left at least 14 uniformed personnel missing, including a sergeant and 13 young conscripts.
- The blasts, involving pyrotechnic material, shattered windows, cut power, and prompted evacuations as authorities launched an investigation and declared three days of mourning.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The explosions occurred at a military base in Viacha, 30 kilometers southwest of La Paz, Bolivia. The base stores pyrotechnic material, and the first blast involved black powder. The second, larger explosion is under investigation. Authorities have evacuated residents, cut power, and deployed police to the area.
At least 14 people are missing after two explosions at a military base in Bolivia that left two dead and more than 80 injured, the base commander said Saturday.
The blasts occurred Friday afternoon at a base in the town of Viacha, 30 kilometers southwest of La Paz.
On Saturday, the streets were littered with rubble and windows in nearby buildings were shattered, an AFP photographer observed.
"Fourteen uniformed personnel who were in the area affected by the two explosions at the Viacha military base have not yet been located," base commander Colonel Antonio Amaru said in a statement, adding that search-and-rescue efforts were continuing.
Among the missing are a sergeant and 13 conscripts aged 18 and 19 performing their mandatory one-year military service.
Residents of the area were evacuated to a temporary shelter.
"It is not yet safe" for them to return home because "some houses were damaged by the shockwave," according to Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano.
The power supply has been cut off in the affected area, where dozens of police officers have been deployed, an AFP correspondent reported.
The cause of the blasts is under investigation.
In a report Friday, Justiniano said the first explosion involved "black powder, corresponding to pyrotechnic material stored at the site," while the cause of the second, larger explosion was being analyzed.
Justiniano said that there were two successive blasts.
The first detonation was believed to have involved "black powder corresponding to pyrotechnic material stored at the site," he said.
It was followed by a "second detonation of much greater magnitude," he said, adding that the cause and the material that exploded were still being determined.
"At this time, our priority is people: caring for the injured, supporting their families, and continuing search and verification efforts," Justiniano said.
The defense ministry said no military weapons had been detonated.
President Rodrigo Paz on Friday expressed his "deep solidarity with the families of the deceased, the injured and all residents affected by the explosions."
He said he had ordered a "thorough, technical and transparent" investigation.
"We must establish with absolute clarity the causes of this event, verify compliance with safety protocols and determine any responsibilities that may arise," he said in a post on X.
Authorities in Viacha, a city of 114,000 inhabitants, declared three days of mourning.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
A thorough, technical, and transparent investigation will be conducted into the cause of the explosions.
Very likely · Within weeks
Search and rescue efforts will continue until all missing personnel are located or accounted for.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What caused the second, larger explosion?
- Were safety protocols violated at the base?
- Are any individuals responsible for the blasts?
- Will the missing personnel be found alive?
