At least two people have died, seven remain missing, and 81 have been injured after the two explosions recorded this Friday in a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, in the department of La Paz. The incident occurred in the afternoon at the General Maintenance Center of the RAM-2 "Bolívar" Mechanized Artillery Regiment, located about 35 kilometers from the city of La Paz, and also caused significant damage to nearby homes.
The national police sub-commander, Roger Roca, assured that the incident is already under control, although search efforts continue. "We regret because we have seven people missing at the moment and it has been physically confirmed that there are two deceased," he explained to the media. The number of injured increased during the hours following the detonations: initially, around 59 affected were reported, and later the police raised the figure to 81, two of them in serious condition.
Investigate what caused the explosions
The authorities have not yet officially established the definitive cause. Roca explained that investigative actions are being carried out to determine "what happened in this place" and avoided anticipating a specific hypothesis. In an initial report, however, the Ministry of Defense had indicated that there was an "accidental" detonation of pyrotechnic material stored in the barracks, which caused "considerable" material damage.
The Minister of Defense, Ernesto Justiniano, confirmed that a technical investigation has been ordered to clarify both the origin of the explosion and the conditions in which the material was stored. "The corresponding technical investigation has been ordered to precisely establish the causes of the detonation, the conditions in which this material was stored, and any responsibilities that may correspond," he stated.
The La Paz departmental prosecutor's office has also opened proceedings for possible crimes of "culpable homicide, culpable injuries, and other damages", according to the departmental prosecutor Luis Carlos Torrez. The investigation will determine whether there were any negligence in the storage or handling of the material and whether criminal responsibilities may arise.
Rodrigo Paz orders a "thorough" investigation
The president of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, expressed his solidarity with the victims and announced that he has ordered to clarify what happened. "I express my deepest solidarity with the families of the deceased, with those who were injured, and with all the neighbors affected by the explosions recorded at the Bolívar Regiment facilities, in the municipality of Viacha," he wrote on X.
The head of state assured that the priority of the State is now "to protect life, attend to the victims, and accompany the families" and pointed out that the investigation must be "thorough." From Defense, it has also been ordered to keep the area isolated, secure the facilities, continue the search for the missing, and deploy all necessary means to attend to the injured.
About 25 families affected by the shockwave
The detonations had consequences outside the military compound. Videos disseminated by local media and social networks show the force of the shockwave and the damage caused to doors, windows, and structures of homes near the barracks. The mayor of Viacha, Jenrry Patzi, has estimated about 25 families affected.
For the moment, not all will be able to return to their homes. The Ministry of Defense considers it necessary to first verify that the buildings do not present structural damage that poses a risk. The evacuated families will be temporarily housed in the Military School of Music of the Army, where humanitarian assistance will also be concentrated.
The explosions also damaged several power poles, so teams are working to restore supply in the affected areas. "The most important thing tonight is to protect people, attend to the injured, continue the search for those who have not yet been located, and ensure that families can return to their homes only when there are safety conditions," Justiniano indicated.
The search continues
With the place already under control, the priority remains focused on locating the seven people who remain missing and attending to the 81 injured, especially the two who are in serious condition. At the same time, police, military, and prosecutorial investigators are working to reconstruct what happened inside the complex.
Although Defense initially pointed to an accidental detonation of pyrotechnic material, that explanation remains pending technical confirmation. The investigation must clarify what caused the two explosions, how the material was stored, and whether there were security failures that could have contributed to one of the most serious incidents recorded recently at a military facility in Bolivia.