Bolivia confirms 9 deaths after military base explosion

Bolivian authorities on Monday confirmed that nine people have died after an explosion on Friday at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 km from La Paz.



The Defense Ministry said a ninth body was found in the rubble on Monday afternoon and transferred to the morgue for identification.



Army Commander Hector Alarcon said in a statement that a worse tragedy was avoided because many personnel from the Bolivar Regiment were away participating in a recreational bicycle ride when the explosion happened.



The statement did not address how many people were still missing.



"Our priority remains finding our comrades who are still missing and providing answers to their families as soon as possible,"



On Monday morning, health minister Marcela Flores said 84 patients have been treated since the blast on Friday, and 31 people remain hospitalized.