Bolivian government forms working group for Barrio Lindo market fire

Bolivia's government has initiated permanent working groups to address and monitor the persistent fire at the Barrio Lindo market, with President Rodrigo Paz emphasizing continuous oversight until the situation is fully controlled. Ministers of the Presidency and Defense confirmed that government efforts began early on August 6 to coordinate and execute tasks aimed at mitigating the blaze.

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There are two helicopters working in the area of the fire and military personnel and vehicles from some units have been deployed to support the tasks being executed in the Feria de Barrio Lindo.

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano reported that two helicopters are actively engaged in the affected area, alongside military personnel and vehicles deployed to assist with ongoing mitigation efforts at the Barrio Lindo market. Despite these actions, Justiniano noted that the fire remained active according to the latest report from the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense, with mitigation tasks continuing.

Minister of the Presidency Fernando Aramayo reiterated the president's directive for permanent working groups to track the situation until its complete resolution. Justiniano also commented on the significant amount of flammable material present at the site, indicating that an official report on the incident would be available in the coming hours. He underscored the government's prompt response upon learning of the fire.

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There is a lot of flammable material in the place, we will wait for an official report on what happened in a few hours.

Senator Branko Marinkovic expressed regret over the events in Santa Cruz, criticizing previous municipal administrations for their focus on collecting fees rather than addressing infrastructure issues. He pointed to the market's poor electrical connections and makeshift stalls as factors that could have contributed to the accident, stating, "That is the city they left us. I hope the mayor can bring order to the markets."

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That is the city they left us. I hope the mayor can bring order to the markets, spaces that are full of bad connections and 'toldererios', which then cause these accidents.