Disasters & Incidents
Bolivia army base blasts kill 2, wound 81, minister says
Two explosions at an army barracks in Viacha, Bolivia, killed at least two people, wounded 81 and left seven missing on Friday, Bolivian authorities said.
Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said pyrotechnic material was stored at the base, southwest of Bolivia's administrative capital La Paz, and that the cause of the blasts was under investigation. He said the explosions happened at about 2:30 p.m. local time.
Justiniano said two wounded people were in serious condition. The defense ministry said the dead and missing were soldiers serving at the base. An earlier police report had put the number of wounded at 59, at least 52 of them civilians.
Footage circulated by local media showed a thick column of black smoke rising from the city center. Houses nearby were damaged, with shattered windows, broken ceilings and debris visible.
Firefighters went to the base after the blasts, residents were evacuated to a temporary shelter and police were deployed in the area. An AFP journalist observed that power had been cut off nearby.
President Rodrigo Paz expressed solidarity with the families of those killed and injured and with residents affected by the explosions. He said he had ordered a thorough, technical and transparent investigation to establish the cause, check compliance with safety protocols and determine any responsibilities.
Justiniano said the first blast was believed to have involved black powder from pyrotechnic material stored at the site. He said a second, larger detonation followed, but the cause and the material involved were still being determined. The defense ministry said no military weapons had been detonated.
Viacha's authorities declared three days of mourning.
Update
Authorities now say 81 people were wounded, up from an earlier police figure of 59.
Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said there were two successive blasts at the Viacha base.
Justiniano said two wounded people were in serious condition.
The defense ministry said the dead and missing were soldiers serving at the base.
President Rodrigo Paz ordered a thorough, technical and transparent investigation.
Viacha authorities declared three days of mourning.
The defense ministry said no military weapons had been detonated.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 05:40:01 UTC.
Update
Social media footage showed shattered windows in homes, flying debris and a column of black smoke after the blast.
Firefighters went to the army base after the explosion.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 02:53:25 UTC.
Update
Police spokesman Roger Roca said seven people are missing.
Police said at least two people were killed, preserving the latest qualified death toll.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 01:43:27 UTC.
Update
Police said two people died in the Bolivia army barracks blast.
Police said 59 people were wounded.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 01:27:04 UTC.
Update
Bolivian Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said the explosion happened in an area where fireworks were stored.
Justiniano cited preliminary reports of possible fatalities but said he could not confirm a death toll.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the explosion.
The barracks is in central Viacha, about 30 kilometers southwest of La Paz.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 00:39:14 UTC.
Update
The explosion was at an army barracks in the western Bolivian town of Viacha.
Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said 52 civilians and six military personnel were injured.
Justiniano said the blast took place in an area where explosive material was stored.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 00:09:05 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The exact cause of the blasts remains under investigation.
The material involved in the second detonation has not been determined.
The relationship between the earlier police wounded figure and the later total of 81 was not further detailed.
Source
AFP news report published on .