An explosion at an army facility near La Paz has killed at least two people, injured 59 and left seven missing, according to Bolivia’s latest police figures. Earlier, higher death tolls were reported but remain unconfirmed.
Blast damages barracks and nearby homes
Two explosions struck the Bolívar artillery regiment in Viacha, about 30 kilometres from La Paz, on Friday afternoon. Bolivia’s police later confirmed two deaths, seven people missing and 59 injured, according to La Razón’s report on the official update.
Reuters reported that Bolivia’s defence minister, Ernesto Justiniano, said the blast originated in an area used to store pyrotechnic material. Authorities had not established the cause by early Saturday and opened an investigation.
The shock wave shattered windows and damaged homes around the base. Most of those injured were civilians, while several were transferred to hospitals in La Paz. Emergency personnel isolated the compound while firefighters dealt with residual heat and the danger of further explosions.
Conflicting casualty reports
The confirmed police toll is lower than early estimates. A local health official initially told television that between 10 and 15 people were believed dead. Al Jazeera, citing AFP and local authorities, reported at least 10 deaths. Reuters subsequently cited the national defence ministry’s figure of two confirmed deaths and 14 missing, while the later police update reported seven missing.
Umma Media is therefore using the latest confirmed police count of two dead and 59 injured. The higher reported death toll has not been independently reconciled, and the final number may change as search teams account for missing personnel.
What remains unknown
Investigators have not determined what ignited the stored material, whether military munitions were also involved, or why the official missing-person totals differ. The incident is consequential because it caused mass injuries, affected surrounding civilian neighbourhoods and exposed possible safety failures at a state military facility.
Reporting and verification: Reuters, Al Jazeera/AFP and La Razón’s police update linked to the principal reports.
