Bolivia Military Plane Carrying Banknotes Crashes in El Alto, At Least 15 Dead

A tragic plane crash in El Alto, Bolivia, has left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured, according to local authorities.

The accident occurred on Friday evening around 6:15 PM local time when a military cargo aircraft was approaching El Alto International Airport. The aircraft had taken off from Santa Cruz de la Sierra and reportedly skidded off the runway during landing, crashing into nearby vehicles.

Military Plane Was Carrying Banknotes

Officials from the Bolivian Air Force later confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo plane. The plane was transporting banknotes to the Central Bank of Bolivia at the time of the crash.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of people on board, but the crash caused severe damage both to the aircraft and several vehicles near the runway.

Chaos After the Crash

Following the accident, Bolivian banknotes were seen scattered across the crash site, which attracted large crowds. Some people attempted to collect the money, leading to clashes with police.

Police officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds and regain control of the area. According to reports, several individuals were arrested for attempting to steal the banknotes.

Warning From Authorities

Bolivia’s Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas warned that the money being transported has no legal value, as the banknotes had not yet been officially issued by the Central Bank and did not contain serial numbers.

He urged people to stop looting and respect the victims of the tragedy.

Injuries and Emergency Response

Bolivia’s health ministry confirmed that 31 people were injured in the crash. Hospitals in the region issued an urgent appeal for blood donations to treat the injured.

El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed while emergency teams worked at the crash site and investigators began examining the cause of the accident.

Possible Cause Under Investigation

The exact cause of the crash is still unknown. However, some witnesses reported severe weather conditions, including heavy hailstorms and lightning, shortly before the aircraft went down.

Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine what led to the tragic incident.