An angry miner killed himself and two policemen when he detonated dynamite strapped to his chest inside Bolivia's congress, authorities said.
La Paz police chief Colonel Guido Arandia said the man - whose demand for early retirement benefits underscored the grievances of many low-paid miners in Bolivia - stormed into congress around midday local time yesterday and went to a part of the building away from the congressional chambers.
The miner detonated his vest laced with at least five sticks of dynamite as security agents tried to negotiate, killing himself and fatally wounding the police officers, Colonel Arandia said.
Authorities said the dead officers were members of the security police unit at the congress.
President Carlos Mesa said the miner "was a desperate man" whose action "had no political motivations". He said: "I want to tell the nation that what happened today is an absolutely
isolated fact, not related to any situation that should cause concern. The nation should remain calm."
Police had evacuated Congress earlier yesterday after receiving reports that disgruntled miners planned to force their way into the building. Police had no immediate report on whether the bomber was acting alone or with others.
The state-run network Canal 7 showed footage with shattered glass carpeting a side street leading to the ornate colonial legislative palace. Heavily armed police quickly cordoned off the complex in central La Paz and were seen dragging one body into a taxi that sped off.
AP