Bolivia Military Base Explosions Death Toll Rises to Six

Udoy Chowdhury
September 7, 2026

The death toll from a series of explosions at an army base in Bolivia has reached six, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. Recovery efforts have intensified as search teams located three additional bodies within the rubble of the military facility in Viacha, a city situated approximately 30 kilometres south-west of the administrative capital, La Paz.

Among the victims, three have been confirmed as soldiers. The identities of the three individuals recovered most recently remain unverified. The ministry also reported that 11 personnel and conscripts are currently considered missing following the incident, which occurred on Friday afternoon.

The military facility involved in the blast was reportedly used for the storage of confiscated fireworks, grenades, and TNT-based explosives. The force of the detonations caused significant damage to the surrounding area, with violent shockwaves tearing roofs from nearby structures, uprooting trees, and scattering debris, including rocks, into adjacent civilian neighbourhoods where dozens of homes sustained damage.

While the exact cause of the explosions remains under active investigation, the public prosecutor’s office in Viacha has launched a formal inquiry into potential manslaughter and related criminal offences. The tragedy has also sparked intense political debate within the country. Former president Evo Morales, who served from 2006 to 2019, publicly condemned the current administration's handling of the crisis. Morales described the government's actions as an act of irresponsibility, characterizing the event as a war crime that he argued should be reported to the International Criminal Court.


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Content: Collected | Source: TRT World

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