Bolivia: Explosion at Military Facility Claims Two Lives and Injures 59

07:46

A violent explosion struck a military facility in Viacha, western Bolivia, on Friday, resulting in at least two deaths and 59 injuries, according to a report from authorities. Seven people were also reported missing after the blast.

The explosion occurred at a site where pyrotechnic materials were stored, about 30 kilometers south of La Paz. The exact circumstances of the accident are still under investigation.

A Heavy Human Toll

The toll was confirmed by Colonel Roger Roca, spokesperson for the Bolivian police. "We have physically confirmed that there are two deceased individuals," he stated to the press.

The number of injured, initially reported as 58, was later updated to 59. An initial count indicated that 52 civilians and six military personnel were among those affected.

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano stated that the victims were directed to several medical facilities in Viacha for treatment.

A Blast Felt Throughout the City

The explosion occurred around 2:30 PM local time, creating a significant column of black smoke visible from various areas of the city, which has a population of approximately 100,000.

Residents recorded the scene with their phones. Images broadcast by several local media outlets show the extent of the smoke that rose above the military site following the detonation.

The force of the explosion also caused damage in the surrounding area. Several homes had their windows shattered, while fragments and debris were scattered nearby.

Military Sector Under Surveillance

In the hours following the explosion, security forces established a perimeter around the facility. Dozens of police officers prevented residents and journalists from approaching the site to secure the area.

This precaution comes as the presence of pyrotechnic materials raises questions about the origin of the blast and the storage conditions of the involved products.

Authorities must now continue security operations and determine the exact circumstances of the accident. The priority also remains to locate the seven individuals still reported missing and to care for the many injured.

The Viacha explosion thus represents one of the most serious incidents recently reported at a Bolivian military facility, with consequences that extend far beyond the confines of the affected site.