Bolivian blast death toll rises to 7, rescuers search for missing soldiers

President Rodrigo Paz declares national mourning, urges unity after deadly military base explosions near La Paz.

Al JazeeraAl Jazeera Staff2026-09-07 17:31查看原文 ↗

President Rodrigo Paz declares national mourning, urges unity after deadly military base explosions near La Paz.

An aerial view of the army barracks after explosions rocked the military base in Viacha, Bolivia, September 5, 2026 [AFP]

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

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

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“Our priority remains finding our comrades who are still missing and providing answers to their families as soon as possible,” Alarcon said.

Health Minister Marcela Flores said 84 people have been treated since the explosions, with 31 still in hospital.

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

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

Prosecutors in Viacha have opened an investigation into possible manslaughter and other crimes, while investigators are also looking into how the explosives were stored.

“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 said.

He announced a period of national mourning and urged Bolivians not to politicise the tragedy.

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 showed windows shattering and thick black smoke rising from the military facility.

Military personnel and firefighters assess the damage following explosions at an army barracks in Viacha, Bolivia, September 5, 2026 [AFP]

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

Many of those initially reported missing were young conscripts aged 18 and 19 completing Bolivia’s mandatory military service. At least two of those confirmed dead were also first-year conscripts.

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

总统罗德里戈·帕斯宣布全国哀悼，并呼吁团结，此前拉巴斯附近发生致命的军事基地爆炸事件。

2026年9月5日，玻利维亚维亚查军事基地发生爆炸后，从空中拍摄的军营照片。[法新社]

玻利维亚一军事基地爆炸造成的死亡人数已上升至7人，爆炸发生三天后，救援队仍在搜寻失踪人员。

玻利维亚陆军司令埃克托·阿拉尔孔周一表示，在拉巴斯西南约 30 公里（20 英里）的维亚查一处军营发生爆炸后，仍有 7 人下落不明。

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列表 4/4：玻利维亚一军事基地发生两起爆炸，造成两人死亡，14人失踪

“我们的首要任务仍然是找到仍然失踪的战友，并尽快向他们的家人提供答案，”阿拉尔孔说。

卫生部长马塞拉·弗洛雷斯表示，爆炸发生后已有 84 人接受治疗，其中 31 人仍在医院接受治疗。

爆炸发生在周五下午，地点位于一处用于存放烟火材料的军事设施区域。此前，当局曾表示该地点用于存放没收的烟花、手榴弹和TNT炸药。

爆炸原因仍在调查中，但总统罗德里戈·帕斯表示，爆炸似乎是一起与基地储存的爆炸物处理不当有关的事故。