At least two killed, 81 injured in explosions at Bolivian army base
Two powerful blasts at a military maintenance facility in Viacha, near La Paz, killed at least two people and injured 81 others, Bolivian authorities said.
Two powerful explosions struck the RAM-2 "Bolívar" General Maintenance Center in Viacha, southwest of the administrative capital La Paz, on Friday, leaving at least two people dead and 81 injured.
Bolivian Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said the facility was used to store pyrotechnic material and confirmed that no weaponry of any kind was detonated during the incident.
According to Justiniano, preliminary findings indicate the first explosion involved black powder from the pyrotechnic material stored at the site. The second, much larger blast remains under investigation.
Search continues for missing
Justiniano said seven people were still unaccounted for. He stressed that the priority was protecting people, treating the injured, continuing the search for those not yet found, and allowing families to return home only once conditions are confirmed safe.
Footage circulating on social media reportedly showing one of the blasts depicts a massive explosion and a large plume of smoke rising into the sky.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz expressed condolences to the families of the victims and those injured, writing on X that he had ordered a thorough, technical and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident, verify compliance with safety protocols, and identify those responsible.
