Overview
- The blasts that struck the RAM-2 “Bolívar” maintenance centre in Viacha on Friday produced two successive detonations and, officials say, left two people dead, more than 80 injured and 14 uniformed personnel unaccounted for.
- Authorities say the explosions originated in a defence ministry fireworks and pyrotechnics stockpile and have opened a technical probe to review how the material was stored and whether safety protocols were followed.
- Emergency crews evacuated nearby residents, set up a security cordon and continued search-and-rescue work while firefighters warned of a lingering heat source that could trigger further detonations.
- Local medical teams treated dozens on site and transferred the most serious cases to hospitals in El Alto and La Paz because Viacha lacks the capacity to handle major burn and trauma cases.
- Prosecutors have opened inquiries that could include manslaughter charges, the missing include young conscripts serving mandatory service, and the incident has revived public concern about pyrotechnic safety after past deadly explosions in Bolivia.