VIACHA, Bolivia — Two people were killed and at least 81 others injured after two powerful explosions tore through a military facility in the Bolivian city of Viacha, sending shockwaves through nearby neighborhoods and triggering an emergency response.
The explosions occurred Friday afternoon at the General Maintenance Center of the RAM-2 “Bolívar” Mechanized Artillery Regiment, about 30–35 kilometers from Bolivia’s capital, La Paz.
Bolivia’s Defense Ministry later confirmed that two conscripts died, seven others remained missing and 81 people were injured. Two of those injured were reported to be in serious condition.
The incident is still under investigation, and authorities have not established the precise cause of the blasts.
What caused the explosions?
According to Bolivian authorities, the explosions occurred in an area where pyrotechnic material was stored.
The first blast was followed by a second, more powerful explosion, according to reports from local media and witnesses. Authorities initially described the incident as an accidental detonation involving stored pyrotechnic material, although investigators have yet to determine exactly what triggered the chain of explosions.
Reuters reported that the material was associated with the Defense Ministry’s fireworks stockpile. Firefighters also warned that a source of heat remained at the site, raising concerns about the possibility of another explosion and prompting authorities to establish a safety perimeter.
Officials urged people to remain away from the affected area while emergency crews worked among the debris.
Seven people remain missing
The confirmed deaths involved conscripts assigned to the military maintenance facility, according to Bolivia’s Defense Ministry.
Seven other conscripts were still unaccounted for in the latest official update, while rescue teams continued searching the site.
The casualty numbers changed several times as authorities assessed the scene.
Early reports from local officials initially gave significantly higher estimates for the death toll. Reuters reported that local health officials at one point said between 10 and 15 people might have died, while the Defense Ministry subsequently confirmed only two deaths.
That discrepancy highlights why the casualty figures should be treated as provisional while rescue and identification operations continue.
Most of the injured were civilians
The blast did not affect only military personnel.
Local health authorities said a large proportion of the injured were civilians living or working near the military facility. Earlier reports counted dozens of injured people being taken to hospitals in Viacha, El Alto and La Paz.
Two of the 81 injured were reported to be in serious condition in the latest update from Bolivia’s Defense Ministry.
Emergency crews deployed ambulances, firefighters, police and specialized personnel to the area as authorities worked to evacuate casualties and secure the site.
Shockwaves damaged nearby homes
Residents living around the military compound described the explosions as extremely powerful.
Bolivian broadcaster Unitel reported that the shockwaves were felt as far as roughly a kilometer from the facility, with windows shattered and damage reported at nearby homes. Some residents described debris and pieces of material falling onto surrounding properties.
The explosions also disrupted electricity in parts of the surrounding area, adding to the uncertainty as residents were urged to stay away from the military complex.
Photographs and video circulating from the scene showed a large plume of smoke rising above the facility as emergency responders moved into the area.
Investigation focuses on stored pyrotechnic material
Authorities have not blamed sabotage or an attack.
Instead, the investigation is centered on the circumstances surrounding the storage and accidental detonation of pyrotechnic material inside the military complex.
Bolivia’s government has ordered an investigation into what happened, while emergency teams continue clearing the area and searching for the missing.
The exact sequence of events — including what caused the first explosion and why the second blast was more powerful — remains under investigation.
Conflicting early reports show how quickly the toll changed
The disaster initially produced conflicting casualty figures.
Some early local reports suggested the death toll could be as high as 10 to 15, while another early police report cited 59 injured and seven missing. Later official figures raised the number of injured to 81 while keeping the confirmed death toll at two.
Reuters also reported 14 missing in an earlier Defense Ministry update, before later Bolivian reporting put the number at seven.
Because rescue and identification operations were still underway, the figures remain subject to change.
A tragedy felt far beyond the military base
The Viacha explosions have left both military personnel and civilians dealing with the aftermath.
For families waiting for information about the missing conscripts, the search through the damaged facility remains the most urgent priority.
For residents living around the base, the destruction has raised new questions about safety, particularly regarding the storage of pyrotechnic materials inside or near a populated area.
As investigators work to establish exactly what triggered the blasts, authorities face a second task: determining whether safety procedures were properly followed and what measures may be needed to prevent another tragedy.
For now, the confirmed toll stands at two dead, 81 injured and seven missing — but with the search still continuing, officials have warned that the situation remains fluid.
Bolivia’s Defense Ministry later confirmed that two conscripts died, seven others remained missing and 81 people were injured. Two of those injured were reported to be in serious condition.
The incident is still under investigation, and authorities have not established the precise cause of the blasts.
What caused the explosions?
According to Bolivian authorities, the explosions occurred in an area where pyrotechnic material was stored.
The first blast was followed by a second, more powerful explosion, according to reports from local media and witnesses. Authorities initially described the incident as an accidental detonation involving stored pyrotechnic material, although investigators have yet to determine exactly what triggered the chain of explosions.
Reuters reported that the material was associated with the Defense Ministry’s fireworks stockpile. Firefighters also warned that a source of heat remained at the site, raising concerns about the possibility of another explosion and prompting authorities to establish a safety perimeter.
Officials urged people to remain away from the affected area while emergency crews worked among the debris.
Seven people remain missing
The confirmed deaths involved conscripts assigned to the military maintenance facility, according to Bolivia’s Defense Ministry.
Seven other conscripts were still unaccounted for in the latest official update, while rescue teams continued searching the site.
The casualty numbers changed several times as authorities assessed the scene.
Early reports from local officials initially gave significantly higher estimates for the death toll. Reuters reported that local health officials at one point said between 10 and 15 people might have died, while the Defense Ministry subsequently confirmed only two deaths.
That discrepancy highlights why the casualty figures should be treated as provisional while rescue and identification operations continue.
Most of the injured were civilians
The blast did not affect only military personnel.
Local health authorities said a large proportion of the injured were civilians living or working near the military facility. Earlier reports counted dozens of injured people being taken to hospitals in Viacha, El Alto and La Paz.
Two of the 81 injured were reported to be in serious condition in the latest update from Bolivia’s Defense Ministry.
Emergency crews deployed ambulances, firefighters, police and specialized personnel to the area as authorities worked to evacuate casualties and secure the site.
Shockwaves damaged nearby homes
Residents living around the military compound described the explosions as extremely powerful.
Bolivian broadcaster Unitel reported that the shockwaves were felt as far as roughly a kilometer from the facility, with windows shattered and damage reported at nearby homes. Some residents described debris and pieces of material falling onto surrounding properties.
The explosions also disrupted electricity in parts of the surrounding area, adding to the uncertainty as residents were urged to stay away from the military complex.
Photographs and video circulating from the scene showed a large plume of smoke rising above the facility as emergency responders moved into the area.
Investigation focuses on stored pyrotechnic material
Authorities have not blamed sabotage or an attack.
Instead, the investigation is centered on the circumstances surrounding the storage and accidental detonation of pyrotechnic material inside the military complex.
Bolivia’s government has ordered an investigation into what happened, while emergency teams continue clearing the area and searching for the missing.
The exact sequence of events — including what caused the first explosion and why the second blast was more powerful — remains under investigation.
Conflicting early reports show how quickly the toll changed
The disaster initially produced conflicting casualty figures.
Some early local reports suggested the death toll could be as high as 10 to 15, while another early police report cited 59 injured and seven missing. Later official figures raised the number of injured to 81 while keeping the confirmed death toll at two.
Reuters also reported 14 missing in an earlier Defense Ministry update, before later Bolivian reporting put the number at seven.
Because rescue and identification operations were still underway, the figures remain subject to change.
A tragedy felt far beyond the military base
The Viacha explosions have left both military personnel and civilians dealing with the aftermath.
For families waiting for information about the missing conscripts, the search through the damaged facility remains the most urgent priority.
For residents living around the base, the destruction has raised new questions about safety, particularly regarding the storage of pyrotechnic materials inside or near a populated area.
As investigators work to establish exactly what triggered the blasts, authorities face a second task: determining whether safety procedures were properly followed and what measures may be needed to prevent another tragedy.
For now, the confirmed toll stands at two dead, 81 injured and seven missing — but with the search still continuing, officials have warned that the situation remains fluid.
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