STORY: At least two people were killed and dozens injured on Friday after an explosion at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 km (20 miles) from La Paz, Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said.

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.

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.

Police said more than 50 people were injured and dozens of homes damaged, largely by windows shattered in the blast.

Ambulances, medical teams and police were deployed to the military complex to assess the damage and evacuate the wounded to health centers.

Nebraska said firefighters had warned that a heat source remained at the site, raising the risk of another explosion, and urged residents to stay at least 150 meters away.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VIACHA, BOLIVIA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2026) (BOLIVIA TV - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF WINDOWS OF HOUSE DESTROYED BY EXPLOSION AT BOLÍVAR MILITARY REGIMENT IN VIACHA

2. PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES

3. AMBULANCE LEAVING SCENE OF EXPLOSION

4. BOLÍVAR MILITARY REGIMENT IN VIACHA

5. AMBULANCES PARKING AT SCENE OF EXPLOSION

VIACHA, BOLIVIA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2026) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MINISTER OF DEFENSE, ERNESTO JUSTINIANO, SAYING:

“According to preliminary information, two significant explosions occurred. The first involved black powder, corresponding to pyrotechnic material stored at the site. Subsequently, a second, much larger detonation occurred. The cause and material involved in this second explosion are still being determined by specialized equipment and the corresponding investigation.”

7. VARIOUS OF PRESSER ONGOING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MINISTER OF DEFENSE, ERNESTO JUSTINIANO, SAYING:

“Our immediate priority is the people; as of now, we have two confirmed fatalities and seven people reported missing. We extend our condolences and solidarity to the families of the deceased.”

9. MILITARY PERSONNEL FORMING A CORDON TO PREVENT PEOPLE ENTERING THE BLAST SITE

10. MILITARY PERSONNEL ON STANDBY

11. MILITARY PERSONNEL LOOKING ON

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL RESIDENT, ARIEL TANCARA, SAYING:

“What damaged my face was the glass from my house; the windows exploded, and the shards struck my face. There were stones involved because the barracks were built of solid stone; all that stone shattered and flew into the houses in Viacha, leaving them with broken windows.”.

13. AMBULANCES LEAVING BLAST SITE

14. WOMAN CRYING

15. PEOPLE TRYING TO ENTER THEIR HOUSES

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MOTHER, MARTHA MAMANI, SAYING:

“We need information about our children, how long do we have to wait?".

17. VARIOUS OF VIACHA HOSPITAL

INTERNET (SEPTEMBER 4, 2026) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - Access all) (MUTE)

18. VARIOUS OF SCREENSHOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA POST FROM BOLIVIA'S PRESIDENT RODRIGO PAZ READING (Spanish):

"I express my deepest solidarity with the families of the deceased, with those who were injured, and with all the neighbors affected by the explosions at the Bolivar Regiment facilities in the municipality of Viacha. In moments like this, the State's priority must be to protect life, care for the victims, and stand with the families going through hours of pain and uncertainty. From the very beginning, the Ministry of Defense activated emergency, security, evacuation, medical care, and area containment protocols in coordination with the relevant institutions. I have also instructed that a thorough, technical, and transparent investigation be conducted into what happened. We must establish with absolute clarity the causes of this incident, verify compliance with safety protocols, and determine the corresponding responsibilities. We will not speculate or jump to conclusions. We will act with seriousness, transparency, and responsibility."