Two dead and 81 injured after explosions at military facility in Bolivia

Two powerful explosions at a Bolivian military facility storing pyrotechnic material killed at least two people and injured 81 others on Friday. The blasts struck Viacha, about 30 km south of La Paz, at around 2:30 p.m. local time.

The second explosion caused the greater damage. Videos shared by local media showed broken windows, debris thrown into the air and a dense column of black smoke rising over the city. Police blocked access to the area as emergency crews worked at the site.

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At this moment we have two confirmed deaths and seven people reported missing.

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said seven people were missing and that two of the injured were in serious condition. The dead and missing were military personnel serving at the facility, the Defense Ministry later said. Nearby residents moved to a temporary shelter because homes had been affected by the blast wave. Power was also cut in the affected area.

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It is still not prudent for them to return.

Officials said the first explosion apparently involved black powder stored as pyrotechnic material. The cause of the second, much larger detonation and the material involved had not yet been determined. The Defense Ministry said no military weapons had detonated.

The prosecutor’s office opened a criminal investigation into alleged negligent homicide, negligent injuries and other damage. President Rodrigo Paz called for a “thorough, technical and transparent investigation” to establish the causes, verify compliance with safety protocols and determine responsibility. Police said the incident was under control, while firefighters used water trucks to reduce the remaining heat.

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I have also ordered a thorough, technical and transparent investigation into what happened.