Sept. 7 (UPI) — The death toll from a pair of accidental explosions at a Bolivian military barracks rose to seven on Monday following the discovery of another body amid the rubble from the blasts.
Sgt. Maj. Quisbert Vega, an instructor at the General Maintenance Center of the RAM-2 “Bolívar” Mechanized Artillery Regiment in Viacha, Bolivia, was found dead, the seventh body to be recovered in the aftermath of the Friday mishap, the Bolivian defense ministry reported.
Seven other soldiers remain missing at the Viacha base, located about 22 miles from the capital La Paz. At least 84 people were reported injured by the double blasts.
Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano Urenda said unexploded ordnance was found in the vicinity of the blast scene as well as a damaged structure containing weapons and a large quantity of grenades.
Thus, due to possibility of further explosions, teams are “proceeding with extreme caution” in removing the debris and searching for the missing.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira arrived at the accident scene on Monday to console grieving families and express his solidarity with the local residents.
During his visit, he toured the affected area, participated in a moment of prayer and reflection, and held a private meeting with the families of the deceased and those who have not yet been located, the defense ministry said.
The president announced a period of national mourning and ordered that the national flag remain at half-mast as a sign of respect and solidarity with the victims.
He also asked that the tragedy “not be politicized,” the government said.
“Viacha will rise. Bolivia will rise,” Paz declared.
Justiniano earlier confirmed preliminary reports that the first explosion was consistent with a fireworks display, while the second blast was much larger. Its cause has not yet been determined.
Law enforcement officials have opened an investigation seeking to determine if criminal negligence was involved in the deadly incident.
