Bolivia’s Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said “pyrotechnic material” was stored at the military base in Viacha, southwest of the administrative capital La Paz, where two explosions killed two soldiers and injured dozens.
The blasts occurred at around 2:30pm local time, with authorities launching an investigation into their cause. Local media footage showed a thick column of black smoke rising over the area, while nearby homes sustained damage, including shattered windows, damaged ceilings and scattered debris.
Justiniano confirmed that two people had been killed and seven others were reported missing. The wounded, including two people in serious condition, were taken to medical facilities, he said.
The Defence Ministry said the dead and missing were soldiers stationed at the base. An earlier police report put the number of injured at 59, including at least 52 civilians.
Firefighters were dispatched to the site following the explosions, while residents in the surrounding area were evacuated to a temporary shelter. Power was also cut off in the area as police officers were deployed around the site.
Justiniano said the incident involved two successive explosions. The first was believed to have involved black powder associated with pyrotechnic material stored at the base.
A second, significantly more powerful blast followed, although authorities were still determining what caused it and what material was involved. The Defence Ministry said no military weapons had exploded.
President Rodrigo Paz expressed solidarity with the victims and affected residents and ordered a “thorough, technical and transparent” investigation.
He said authorities must establish the exact cause of the incident, determine whether safety protocols were followed and identify any potential responsibility.
Authorities in Viacha have declared three days of mourning following the blasts.
Justiniano said the immediate priority was to provide medical assistance to the injured, support their families and continue search and verification operations for those still missing.
