Two strong explosions occurred at a Bolivian military installation in the city of Viacha, 30 km south of La Paz, on Friday (4). The Bolivian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the site stored pyrotechnic material. The detonations occurred around 2:30 PM local time.
The official count shows at least two dead and 81 injured. The houses around the installation had their windows destroyed by the force of the explosions, and debris was hurled through the air. A dense column of black smoke rose over the city, scenes recorded in videos by residents and published by the local press.
In the surroundings of the military compound, dozens of police officers blocked the passage of pedestrians and the press, preventing access to the affected area. An Agence France-Presse collaborator was at the scene and confirmed the isolation of the military zone.
