VIACHA, Bolivia — A powerful series of explosions tore through a military installation near Bolivia’s administrative capital La Paz, killing at least two people, injuring dozens and leaving others missing as emergency crews searched the damaged site.
The blasts struck the General Maintenance Center of the RAM-2 “Bolívar” military base in Viacha, roughly 30 kilometers from La Paz, on Friday afternoon.
Bolivia’s Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said the explosions occurred at about 2:30 p.m. local time in an area where pyrotechnic materials were stored. The Defense Ministry subsequently reported 14 people missing, while officials continued assessing the full extent of the damage.
The casualty figures evolved quickly as rescue operations continued.
Reuters reported that at least two people had been confirmed dead, with dozens injured. Earlier statements from local officials had suggested a much higher possible death toll, but those figures had not been confirmed by the Defense Ministry.
Two blasts rocked the military complex
Witness accounts and local reporting described two major detonations, with the second reportedly much more powerful than the first.
Euronews reported that Defense Minister Justiniano said the first explosion involved black powder associated with pyrotechnic material stored at the site, while the cause of the second, larger blast remained under investigation.
The explosions sent a powerful shock wave through surrounding areas.
Homes near the military complex were damaged, with shattered windows reported across the neighborhood. Emergency responders were dispatched to the area while authorities established a security perimeter.
The incident also prompted concern over the possibility of another explosion.
Firefighters reportedly warned that a heat source remained at the site, leading authorities to urge residents to remain at least 150 meters away from the affected area.
Dozens injured, including civilians
The number of injured also changed as hospitals and emergency authorities updated their reports.
Reuters cited local health authorities as saying 62 people were injured, with 14 transferred to hospitals in La Paz. One of those injured was reportedly a girl who suffered third-degree burns.
Other reports put the number even higher.
Euronews reported 81 injured, citing Defense Ministry information, while Brazilian outlet Folha reported 59 injured based on police information.
The discrepancies reflect the rapidly changing situation during the initial rescue operation.
Local reporting also indicated that the injured included civilians, military personnel, premilitary trainees and police officers. Eight patients were reportedly in serious condition in one local health update.
What caused the explosion?
Authorities have not yet established the definitive cause.
The Defense Ministry said the material involved was pyrotechnic material, specifically fireworks that formed part of the ministry’s inventory. Officials have launched an investigation to determine what triggered the initial detonation and whether storage conditions contributed to the incident.
That distinction is important.
While some early reports described the explosion as accidental, investigators have not yet publicly established the precise chain of events that caused the material to ignite.
Authorities also had not initially disclosed exactly how much pyrotechnic material was stored at the facility.
Early reports were dramatically different
The first hours after the explosion produced conflicting information.
Initial statements from Bolivia’s Defense Ministry indicated that there were no deaths or injuries, while local reports were already describing multiple explosions, damage and ambulances arriving at the military complex.
As injured people reached hospitals and authorities conducted further assessments, casualty numbers increased.
By the latest reporting, two deaths had been confirmed, while dozens of people had been injured and the Defense Ministry reported 14 missing.
This is why earlier claims of 10 or 15 deaths should be treated as unconfirmed preliminary estimates, rather than the established death toll.
Investigation now underway
Military and police authorities have secured the area while investigators work to establish exactly what happened.
The government has said it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast, including the storage of the pyrotechnic materials and the extent of the damage.
President Rodrigo Paz expressed sympathy for the victims and called for a thorough investigation, while authorities continued rescue and medical operations.
Municipal authorities in Viacha also declared a period of mourning following the deadly incident, according to subsequent reporting.
Why the incident is raising questions
The explosions have placed renewed attention on the risks associated with storing combustible or explosive materials inside or near populated areas.
The Viacha military complex is not isolated from the surrounding community. The blast was powerful enough to damage nearby homes, particularly windows, illustrating how an accident inside a military facility can quickly affect civilians outside its perimeter.
But investigators will need to determine whether improper storage, an accidental ignition, equipment failure or another factor played a role.
For now, the central questions remain unanswered: What triggered the first explosion, why did the second blast become significantly more powerful, and were adequate safeguards in place for the pyrotechnic materials stored at the base?
Those answers could determine whether Friday’s disaster was an isolated accident—or whether deeper safety failures were involved.
WWC ONE MEDIA M.J.E
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