At least two dead in blast at Bolivia military barracks — SkimNews
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- Bolivian Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said at least 81 people were injured and seven remain missing after "pyrotechnic material" detonated at a barracks housing an artillery regiment in Viacha, roughly 30km from La Paz, around 14:30 local time on Friday.
- Health official Rita Nebraska told local television between 10 and 15 people were believed dead, while warning of a risk of further explosion and urging residents to stay at least 150m from the base.
- Police said dozens of civilian homes were damaged by the blast and that emergency workers were searching through rubble in Viacha.
- Police spokesman Roger Roca told AFP that fireworks had been stored at the barracks and that the cause of the detonation remained under investigation.
- President Rodrigo Paz expressed his "deepest solidarity" with victims' families on social media and said a "thorough, technical and transparent investigation" would take place.
- Viacha's authorities declared three days of mourning in the aftermath of the explosion.
Why it matters: With 81 injured, 7 missing, and officials fearing the death toll could reach 10-15 from stored pyrotechnics at a functioning military barracks, the blast puts immediate pressure on President Rodrigo Paz to deliver the transparent investigation he has publicly promised. Dozens of damaged civilian homes also mean local authorities face a reconstruction challenge alongside the three days of mourning now declared in Viacha.
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