Bolivian military base blast leaves seven dead, seven missing

By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and Reuters. Published On 7 Sep 20267 Sep 2026.

Key points

• Health Minister Marcela Flores remarked 84 residents have been treated since the explosions, with 31 still in hospital.
• Plenty of of those initially noted missing were young conscripts aged 18 and 19 completing Bolivia's mandatory military service.
• "Our priority remains finding our comrades who are still missing and providing answers to their families as soon as possible, " Alarcon remarked.
• The blasts happened on Friday afternoon in an area of the military facility applied to store pyrotechnic material.
• While investigators are additionally looking into how the explosives were stored, prosecutors in Viacha have opened an investigation into feasible manslaughter and other crimes.

As rescue teams continue searching for individuals still missing three days after the blasts, the death toll from explosions at a military base in Bolivia has risen to seven.

Bolivian army Commander Hector Alarcon remarked on Monday that seven residents remain unaccounted for after the explosions at a military barracks in Viacha, regarding 30km (20 miles) southwest of La Paz.

For context, the blasts happened on Friday afternoon in an area of the military facility applied to store pyrotechnic material. Authorities had previously remarked the site was employed to hold confiscated fireworks, grenades and TNT-based explosives.

Notably, the cause remains under investigation, but President Rodrigo Paz remarked the explosions appeared to have been an accident linked to the improper handling of explosives stored at the base.

"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, " Paz remarked.

He confirmed a period of national mourning and called on Bolivians not to politicise the tragedy.

Notably, the explosions sent debris flying through the surrounding area, tearing roofs from buildings and uprooting trees, affecting dozens of homes. Footage posted on social media indicated windows shattering and thick black smoke rising from the military facility.

Residents living nearby were evacuated to a temporary shelter after the blasts. Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano remarked on Saturday that it was not yet safe for some residents to return as the shockwave had damaged homes.

Plenty of of those initially noted missing were young conscripts aged 18 and 19 completing Bolivia's mandatory military service. At least two of those confirmed dead were additionally first-year conscripts.

Former President Evo Morales has criticised Paz's administration over its response, accusing it of mishandling the disaster and calling for the matter to be taken to the International Criminal Court.

Taken together, the developments around bolivian military base blast leaves seven dead, seven missing point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.