Explosions at a military installation in Bolivia leave dead and injured

The City Council of Viacha, in western Bolivia, decreed three days of mourning after explosions at a military installation, on Friday (5), left at least two dead and 81 injured, including two in serious condition.

The tragedy occurred at around 2:30 pm local time (3:30 pm in Brasília) at the Bolívar Mechanized Artillery Regiment in Viacha, a city of around 100,000 inhabitants, located approximately 30 kilometers from La Paz.

In the first images released by local media, it is possible to see broken windows, debris and a thick column of black smoke rising over the city.

“So far we have two people confirmed as dead and seven reported missing,” said Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano at a press conference. He also reported that there are 81 injured, including two in serious condition.

The dead and missing were soldiers who served at the facility, the ministry said in a statement.

A previous police report recorded two deaths, seven missing and 59 injured, including at least 52 civilians.

The injured were treated at several medical centers in Viacha, according to the Minister of Defense.

Residents in the area were removed to a temporary housing center. “It is still not safe” for them to return to their homes because “the houses were damaged by the shock wave”, said Justiniano.

The electricity supply was interrupted in the affected area, where dozens of police officers were mobilized.

President Rodrigo Paz expressed, on the social network X, his “deep solidarity with the families of the deceased, the injured and all residents affected by the explosions”.

He announced that he had ordered a “complete, technical and transparent” investigation. “We must establish with absolute clarity the causes of this event, verify compliance with security protocols and determine the responsibilities that may be assigned,” he declared.

According to Justiniano, two explosions occurred. The first would have involved black powder from pyrotechnic equipment stored on site. Then a second explosion occurred, “on a much larger scale,” he said.

“The cause and material involved in this second explosion are still being determined,” he added.

The Ministry of Defense clarified that no type of war weapons exploded in the incident.

Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into manslaughter, unintentional injuries and other possible crimes, according to the ministry.

Colonel Roger Roca, police spokesman, reported that demining operations would continue in the coming hours. “The incident is under control”, he assured.

According to images released by local media, firefighters worked with water trucks to cool the area.

“Right now, our priority is people: caring for the injured, supporting their families and continuing search and verification operations,” said Justiniano.