Death toll from explosions at a military barracks in Bolivia rises to 8

La Paz (EFE).- Following the discovery of a soldier’s body in the rubble in the last few hours, the death toll from the two explosions that occurred Friday at a military barracks in Bolivia rose to eight, while six people remain unaccounted for, the Ministry of Defense reported Monday.

In a press release, the ministry stated that rescue workers found an ID with the last name «Ignacio» on the deceased’s uniform, leading them to assume it belongs to Álex Ignacio Mamani, a soldier and member of the Second Echelon of the Viacha Military Garrison Center.

“The remains were recovered by the Bolivian Police and transported to the morgue, where they will undergo the appropriate identification procedure by his family members,” the press release stated.

Hours before the discovery, Sergeant Freddy Mauro Quisbert Vega, an instructor at the Military Equipment Maintenance Center, was found dead beneath the rubble.

As of Friday, two explosions occurred at the General Maintenance Center of the RAM-2 “Bolívar” Mechanized Artillery Regiment in Viacha, a municipality located on the Altiplano about 35 kilometers (21 miles) from La Paz. The causes of the explosions are still under investigation.

In addition to the eight fatalities, six military personnel are still missing. At least 84 people were injured, and the barracks and nearby homes were damaged. The occupants of the homes were temporarily evacuated.

As of Monday, the Ministry of Health reported that 53 of the injured have been discharged and 31 remain hospitalized, with 3 in critical condition.

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced that he would declare a “national day of mourning” for those killed in the explosions, and also ordered an inspection of explosive ordnance storage facilities at all military units across the country.

«This national period of mourning reminds us that we are one family, and that despite our differences, we are a Bolivian family that must move forward with courage despite the current complications and difficulties,» he said.

The day before (Sunday), Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano confirmed that, according to the preliminary report, there were two explosions at the Viacha military barracks. One explosion allegedly involved black powder from pyrotechnic materials stored in the area.

The second explosion was of «considerably greater magnitude,» according to a press release, but its cause has not yet been determined.

The Prosecutor General’s Office opened an investigation into the incident concerning the alleged crimes of manslaughter, negligent injury, and other acts of violence. EFE

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