RismadarVoice Reporters
September 5, 2026
At least two people have been confirmed dead and 81 others injured following powerful explosions at a military barracks in Viacha, a municipality located roughly 2 kilometres southwest of the administrative capital, La Paz. Authorities warn the casualty count could rise significantly as search-and-rescue operations continue.
The detonations occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time on Friday at the General Maintenance Centre of the RAM-2 “Bolívar” military base.
According to Bolivian Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano, the incident involved a double detonation. An initial explosion involving black powder from stored pyrotechnic materials triggered a far more powerful secondary blast that sent shockwaves across the surrounding city centre.
The force of the explosions shattered windows, collapsed ceilings, and blew debris across surrounding neighbourhoods, damaging dozens of residential homes. The majority of those treated for injuries were civilians residing near the perimeter of the facility, though military personnel were also among the casualties. Seven soldiers remain unaccounted for.
Local health director Rita Nebraska told media outlets that preliminary on-site assessments suggest the total fatalities could eventually reach between 10 and 15 people.
Emergency crews, firefighters, and police cordoned off the area and evacuated nearby residents following warnings from fire personnel that active heat sources remained inside the facility, posing a persistent threat of secondary detonations. Authorities established a 150-meter safety perimeter and urged the public to stay clear of the military complex while hazardous ordnance is rendered safe.
Severely injured victims, including patients suffering from critical burns, were transferred to specialised medical facilities in La Paz.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz expressed solidarity with the victims and announced that a transparent, technical investigation led by law enforcement and military experts will determine the precise cause of the disaster.
Municipal authorities in Viacha have declared three days of official mourning.
