At least two people have been killed in the explosions at a military barracks in Bolivia, with the authorities sharing that the death toll could be higher.
Where did the explosions take place?
Bolivian Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said that around 81 people had been injured when "pyrotechnic material" detonated at the barracks, where an artillery regiment was stationed, at about 2:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4.
Moreover, it was reported that around seven people were missing after the blast.
Why was the blast occurred at the Bolivian army base?
Justiniano informed reporters, "The most important thing tonight is to protect people, attend to the injured, continue the search for those who have not yet been located, and ensure that families can return to their homes only when conditions are safe."
He shared that preliminary information showed that the first explosion "involved black powder from pyrotechnic material stored at the site," while the second, "much larger" blast was still being investigated.
As reported by Reuters, health official Rita Nebraska told local television that between 10 and 15 people were believed to have died in the incident in Viacha, about 30km (19 miles) from La Paz.
Police shared that dozens of homes had been damaged by the blast and that emergency workers were searching the rubble.
Nebraska said there was a risk of a further explosion and urged people to stay at least 150 metres from the military base.
Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz expressed his "deepest solidarity" with the families of those who had died and had been injured.
He wrote on social media that a "thorough, technical and transparent investigation" would take place into what happened.
Police spokesman Roger Roca told news agency AFP that fireworks had been stored at the barracks and the cause of the blast remained under investigation.
Notably, Viacha's authorities have declared three days of mourning.
