Bolivia barracks blasts kill two and injure at least 81
At least two people were killed and 81 injured after explosions involving pyrotechnic material rocked a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 kilometres from La Paz.
The blasts struck the Centro General de Mantenimiento of the RAM-2 Bolívar military regiment on Friday afternoon. Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said the latest confirmed death toll stood at two as authorities continued rescue and recovery work. Earlier reports had listed 14 people as missing, although police later reported seven missing as searches progressed.
WATCH: Explosion at pyrotechnics storage area of military base in Viacha, Bolivia, kills at least 2 and injures 70. pic.twitter.com/TNROAsOMuP
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) September 5, 2026
The incident began at about 2.30 p.m. local time in an area where pyrotechnic material was stored. Local reports indicated that two explosions occurred, with the second causing more extensive damage to the military complex and surrounding homes.
Authorities said the material involved consisted of fireworks belonging to the Defence Ministry’s inventory, although the precise cause of the initial detonation has not been established. Investigators are examining the circumstances of the blasts and the safety procedures surrounding the storage of the material.
Emergency response expands
Medical teams, ambulances and police were sent to the site as emergency services treated the injured and evacuated patients to hospitals. Fourteen people were initially transferred to medical facilities in La Paz, according to early health reports.
The number of casualties changed repeatedly as authorities gathered information from hospitals and the scene. Local officials had earlier warned that the death toll could be significantly higher, but the confirmed figure remained at two in the latest reports.
🇧🇴 ÚLTIMA HORA: La policía confirma al menos dos fallecidos, 59 heridos y siete desaparecidos tras explosión en cuartel militar de Viacha, Bolivia. pic.twitter.com/0VtZy6ntAy
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) September 5, 2026
Police said many of those injured were civilians. The blast wave also damaged nearby properties, shattering windows and affecting homes around the military installation.
Officials investigate cause of blasts
The military facility initially reported only material damage and no casualties, but subsequent hospital and police reports revealed a far more serious toll. The differing early accounts reflected the rapidly evolving situation as emergency crews reached the site and authorities began accounting for people in and around the affected area.
Firefighters also warned that residual heat at the site could create a further risk. Residents were urged to remain at least 150 metres from the affected area while emergency and specialist teams worked to secure the scene.
President Rodrigo Paz expressed condolences and called for a detailed investigation into the incident, including whether appropriate safety protocols had been followed.
Authorities have not yet established what triggered the explosions or disclosed how much pyrotechnic material was stored at the barracks. The investigation remains under way as search operations and assessments of the damage continue.
