STORY: Eyewitness video captured the moment onlookers scrambled for safety seconds after a large explosion rocked a military barracks n the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 km (20 miles) from La Paz on Friday (September 4).

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said at least two people were killed and dozens injured in the incident.

His ministry said in a statement that 14 people were missing.

The blast occurred at around 2:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) in an area used to store pyrotechnic material, authorities said.

While the cause has yet to be established, officials said the blast originated from the defense ministry's fireworks stockpile.

Reuters verified the location where the video was filmed by the buildings, trees, road layout and utility poles which matched archive and satellite imagery. The date was verified by original file metadata. The Bolivian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the explosion took place on September 4.

Earlier, the Viacha health director, Rita Nebraska, had told local television that between 10 and 15 people were believed to have died in the incident, while 62 people were injured. Fourteen of the wounded were transferred to hospitals in La Paz, including a girl with third-degree burns, she said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VIACHA, BOLIVIA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2026) (ORIGINALLY SHOT IN PORTRAIT) (Red Siglo XXI - No Resales / No Archive / Must on-screen courtesy Red Siglo XXI)

1. ONLOOKERS STANDING ON SIDEWALK MOMENTS BEFORE LARGE EXPLOSION ACROSS STREET / PEOPLE SCRAMBLING INDOORS FOR SAFETY

2. PEOPLE TRYING TO LOOK OUTSIDE FROM SHELTER

3. FIRE BURNING ACROSS STREET

4. PEOPLE RUNNING AWAY FROM SITE OF EXPLOSION

5. PEOPLE RUNNING FROM SITE / FIRE IN DISTANCE