Two explosions at an army barracks in Bolivia have killed at least two people and wounded 81, authorities said.

Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said on Friday "pyrotechnic material" was stored at the base in Viacha, southwest of Bolivia's administrative capital La Paz.

The exact cause of Friday's blasts was under investigation, he said in a statement.

Footage circulated by local media showed a thick column of black smoke rising from the city centre.

Houses in the area were damaged by the blasts, with footage showing shattered windows, broken ceilings and scattered debris.

Justiniano said two people were confirmed dead and seven people were missing.

The wounded, including two people in "serious condition", were taken to medical centres, he added.

The dead and missing were soldiers serving at the base, the defense ministry said.

President Rodrigo Paz expressed his "deep solidarity with the families of the deceased, the injured and all residents affected by the explosions."

He said he had ordered a "thorough, technical and transparent" investigation.

Justiniano said that there were two successive blasts.

The first detonation was believed to have involved "black powder corresponding to pyrotechnic material stored at the site", he said.

It was followed by a "second detonation of much greater magnitude," he said, adding that the cause and the material that exploded were still being determined. (AFP)



Edited by Azam Khan