Disasters & Incidents
Bolivia army base blasts may have targeted govt, Paz says
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has asked prosecutors to investigate whether two explosions at an army barracks in Viacha were a “possible attack” on his government, after the blasts killed at least nine soldiers and wounded 84 more people.
The explosions happened on September 4 at a barracks about 30 kilometers southwest of La Paz. The site was used to store confiscated fireworks, grenades and TNT-based explosives, and authorities have not determined the exact cause.
Prosecutors say eight of the dead have been identified and the whereabouts of five people remain unknown. Rescue teams are still working through the wreckage.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into manslaughter and other offenses, while the Defense Ministry is also examining the causes. Paz told reporters in Cochabamba that some people “want the government to do badly” because “they want to return” to power.
Paz took office in November 2025, ending almost two decades of socialist rule. He has accused former leader Evo Morales of trying to destabilize his administration, including by orchestrating anti-government protests in May and June. Paz responded to those demonstrations by declaring a state of emergency that allowed him to deploy the army and outlaw protests.
Update
President Rodrigo Paz asked prosecutors to investigate whether the blasts were a possible attack on his government.
Paz said some people wanted his government to fail because they wanted to return to power.
Prosecutors say eight of the nine dead soldiers have been identified.
Prosecutors say the whereabouts of five people remain unknown, and rescue teams are still working through the rubble.
Source note: AFP news report published on 9 September 2026 at 23:11:32 UTC.
Update
The death toll rose to nine after rescuers found three more bodies, the Defense Ministry said.
The Defense Ministry said all nine dead were soldiers: a sergeant and eight young soldiers doing mandatory military service.
Five soldiers remained missing.
President Rodrigo Paz said explosive material posing a risk of further detonations had been relocated.
The government launched an internal investigation into responsibility and the quantity of explosives stored.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 02:49:19 UTC.
Update
Bolivia's Defense Ministry said three more bodies were found in the rubble on Sunday.
The death toll rose from three to six.
The number of missing was set at 11.
The identities of the three bodies recovered in recent hours remain unknown.
Former president Evo Morales criticised President Rodrigo Paz over the handling of the disaster.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 00:10:24 UTC.
Update
The prosecutor's office said the death toll rose to three after rescuers recovered a man's body from the rubble.
The number of injured was reported as 84.
Prosecutor Katherine Ramirez said an investigation had been announced.
The Defense Ministry announced a crisis committee to assist people affected by the blasts.
Defense Ministry chief Ernesto Justiniano said powerful explosives, including TNT, remained in part of the site and the risk was still high.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 September 2026 at 02:11:12 UTC.
Update
Viacha's public prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation into manslaughter and other crimes.
Viacha Mayor Jenrry Patzi said the city lacked adequate medical facilities for the injured, who had to be transferred to El Alto and La Paz.
Military police set up a security cordon around the site.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 18:26:31 UTC.
Update
Residents were evacuated to a temporary shelter and the defence minister said it was not yet safe for them to return because some houses were damaged by the shockwave.
Power was cut off in the affected area and dozens of police officers were deployed.
The defence ministry said no military weapons had detonated.
An AFP photographer observed rubble in the streets and shattered windows in nearby buildings on Saturday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 16:49:25 UTC.
Update
At least 14 people are now missing, up from the government's initial figure of seven.
Base commander Colonel Antonio Amaru said the missing are uniformed personnel who were in the affected area.
The missing include a sergeant and 13 conscripts aged 18 and 19 who were performing mandatory one-year military service.
Search-and-rescue efforts were continuing.
Viacha Mayor Jenrry Patzi complained that the city lacks a secondary-level hospital to handle the emergency.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 September 2026 at 14:53:54 UTC.
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 explosions has not been determined.
Paz's suggestion that the blasts may have been an attack on his government has not been established as fact.
The whereabouts of five people remain unknown.
Source
AFP news report published on .