By Open Chronicle with agencies
Bolivia has declared a period of national mourning after an explosion at a military facility near La Paz killed at least seven people, left seven others missing and injured dozens, authorities said.
The blast occurred on Friday at a military barracks in the municipality of Viacha, around 30 kilometres from the Bolivian capital. Emergency operations and searches for missing personnel continued into Monday as investigators worked to determine exactly what caused the explosion.
Bolivian Army Commander Héctor Alarcón confirmed that seven people remained unaccounted for.
“Our priority remains finding our comrades who are still missing and providing answers to their families as soon as possible,” Alarcón told reporters.
A military base just blew itself up.
Blasts ripped through an army barracks in Viacha, Bolivia. They were storing fireworks and powder on the grounds. Windows gone. Homes wrecked. Young conscripts still unaccounted for.
You do not stack pyrotechnics next to troops and call it a… pic.twitter.com/6cEN0nBNzK
— Arkadalo® (@Arkadalo) September 6, 2026
Dozens treated after explosion
The explosion occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time in an area of the military installation used to store pyrotechnic material, according to authorities.
Health Minister Marcela Flores said 84 patients had received medical treatment following the blast. Thirty one remained hospitalized as of Monday.
The scale of the incident has placed emergency and military services under pressure while search teams continue working inside and around the damaged facility.
Authorities have not yet provided a final assessment of the destruction at the barracks.
Investigation focuses on handling of explosives
President Rodrigo Paz said an investigation was underway and cautioned against reaching conclusions before investigators completed their work.
Preliminary indications, however, suggested that the explosion may have been accidental and connected to the improper handling of explosives stored at the facility.
Paz said Bolivia’s armed forces were reviewing safety procedures following the disaster.
“Our armed forces are reviewing their protocols, and everything needed to provide greater safety, not only for enlisted personnel and officers, but also for nearby residents living close to military bases,” the president said.
The investigation is expected to examine how explosive and pyrotechnic materials were stored, handled and secured at the installation, as well as whether existing military safety procedures were properly followed.
National mourning declared
Paz announced a period of national mourning for those killed in the explosion and called for solidarity with the victims, their relatives and the armed forces.
The president also urged political groups not to use the disaster for partisan purposes while rescue and investigative operations remain underway.
The tragedy has drawn particular concern because the military facility is located close to civilian communities. Authorities are therefore expected to examine not only internal procedures but also the potential risks posed by military storage facilities situated near populated areas.
For families of those still missing, however, attention remains focused on the continuing search.
With seven people still unaccounted for and dozens recovering from injuries, authorities have warned that the full human toll of the Viacha explosion may not yet be known.