The provisional death toll from the explosions at a military facility in Bolivia, where pyrotechnic material was stored, has risen to nine.
Bolivia’s Ministry of Defence said on Monday that the army had located a ninth body in the rubble. According to the statement, one of the victims was a non-commissioned officer holding the rank of sergeant, while the other eight were young soldiers carrying out their compulsory military service.
The explosions occurred on Friday afternoon in Viacha, a city of approximately 100,000 residents located about 30 kilometres from the country’s administrative capital, La Paz.
The facility stored confiscated fireworks, as well as military explosives, including grenades and TNT.
The competent authorities are investigating the causes of the tragedy.
Health Minister Marcela Flores said that a further 84 people were injured in the explosions, while 31 remain hospitalised.
Source: CNA