Two workers were buried when a landslide collapsed a hillside building, while a third was rescued with injuries. It was Thursday, and the incident involved an unauthorized private construction project in La Paz.
Juan Pablo Palma, the municipal secretary for Comprehensive Risk Management, explained that the collapse occurred this afternoon in a residential area to the south of La Paz. A slope gave way and buried three workers who were on the site, underscoring the ongoing risks associated with hillside construction in the city. The project was private and had been carried out with the alleged permission of a neighboring municipality, Palca, even though the location sits within La Paz’s jurisdiction. Palma noted that, despite repeated instructions, formal notices, and safety recommendations issued by the La Paz municipality through the competent authorities, work continued on the site. The apparent disregard for safety protocols has prompted questions about oversight and accountability across neighboring jurisdictions.
The rescue operation began with the aim of freeing all trapped workers. Initial efforts succeeded in evacuating one worker who sustained multiple contusions, according to Palma. Throughout the night, the La Paz mayor Iván Arias, along with firefighters and members of the Municipal Emergency Response Group, remained on site coordinating rescue operations and ensuring that every feasible option was explored to reach the second worker who remained trapped and was described as being between life and death. The authorities emphasized that rescue efforts would persist until every trapped person was accounted for and safely evacuated. Palma also announced that compensation would be provided to the families of the affected workers and that the municipality would pursue technical, administrative, and legal actions against the builder and any involved parties for the damage and the broader impacts on the workers.
The incident in La Paz reflects a broader pattern of landslides and housing collapses that has affected the city, particularly at the start of the rainy season when soil saturation increases the risk of slope instability. Local officials have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of building codes, better site assessments, and more cautious planning in hillside districts. In the wake of Thursday’s events, residents and neighborhood leaders have urged authorities to implement more robust protective measures, including enhanced drainage, slope stabilization projects, and clearer delineation of jurisdictional responsibilities to prevent future tragedies. Community advocates also stressed the need for improved emergency response planning and rapid, coordinated communication among municipal agencies to reduce response times and improve casualty outcomes in such emergencies. The focus going forward will be on reinforcing safety standards, ensuring prompt medical care for those injured, and conducting a thorough investigation to determine liability and to prevent recurrence in a city that continues to grapple with the challenges posed by its diverse terrain.