At least 20 people have died following the crash of a Bolivian military cargo aircraft transporting banknotes near the country’s administrative capital, La Paz.
The aircraft, identified as a Lockheed C-130 Hercules operated by the Bolivian Air Force, reportedly veered off the runway while attempting to land at El Alto International Airport on Friday before crashing into a nearby busy avenue.
Authorities confirmed that the plane had departed from the eastern city of Santa Cruz and was carrying newly printed currency destined for La Paz at the time of the accident.
Casualties and Damage
Emergency officials said fatalities were recorded both onboard the aircraft and on the ground after the plane struck several vehicles on the roadway during the crash.
Local reports indicated that multiple cars and trucks were destroyed when the aircraft came down in the high-traffic area, with more than 30 people also reported injured.
Chaos at the Crash Site
The crash scattered banknotes across the scene, drawing crowds of bystanders who attempted to gather the money. Security personnel were deployed to disperse the crowds as rescue operations were underway.
Officials later burned the cash recovered from the site, explaining that the notes held no legal value as they had not yet entered circulation.
Cause Under Investigation
Initial reports suggest the aircraft lost control during landing, although the exact cause of the accident remains unknown. Witnesses cited severe weather conditions, including heavy hail and lightning, at the time of the crash.
Bolivia’s defence authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Airport operations at El Alto were temporarily suspended following the crash.
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