La Paz, Sept. 8 (SANA) The death toll from two explosions at a military base near Bolivia’s capital has risen to nine, while rescue teams continue searching for seven missing soldiers, authorities said.
Bolivia’s Defense Ministry said a ninth body was recovered from the rubble Monday afternoon and transferred to a morgue for identification. The victims included a sergeant and eight young conscripts performing mandatory military service.
Bolivian Army Commander Hector Alarcon said seven people remained unaccounted for, down from the 14 initially reported missing. Many were conscripts aged 18 and 19.
Health Minister Marcela Flores said 84 people had received medical treatment since the explosions, with 31 still hospitalized.
The blasts occurred at about 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Bolívar Mechanized Artillery Regiment base in Viacha, about 30 kilometers southwest of La Paz. The affected section of the facility was used to store pyrotechnic material, including confiscated fireworks, grenades and TNT-based explosives.
The cause remains under investigation, although President Rodrigo Paz said preliminary information indicated that the explosions were accidental and linked to the improper handling of stored explosives.
Prosecutors in Viacha have opened an investigation into possible manslaughter and other offenses. Authorities are also examining how the explosives were stored, while the Armed Forces review safety protocols at military facilities.
Paz declared a period of national mourning and urged Bolivians not to politicize the tragedy.
The explosions sent debris across the surrounding area, damaged dozens of homes, tore roofs from buildings and uprooted trees. Nearby residents were evacuated to a temporary shelter, with officials warning that some homes remained unsafe.
Former President Evo Morales criticized the government’s response, accused it of mishandling the disaster and called for the case to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
T.S /M.F
