At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured after a Bolivian Air Force cargo plane crashed in the western city of El Alto on Friday evening, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred at around 6:15 p.m. local time as the aircraft was landing at El Alto’s airport after flying from Santa Cruz. Aviation officials said the plane skidded off the runway and struck nearby vehicles, causing widespread destruction.
Bolivia’s defence ministry later confirmed that a C-130 Hercules aircraft was involved and that it had been transporting banknotes to the Central Bank of Bolivia. The Air Force commander said there were eight people on board, including flight crew and cargo personnel.
Video footage from the scene showed the damaged aircraft surrounded by crushed vehicles and scattered currency. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds who allegedly attempted to steal the banknotes, leading to clashes with officers. Some individuals were seen throwing stones as police formed lines with shields to control the area.
The National Association of Journalists of Bolivia said reporters covering the crash were attacked while doing their jobs. According to the group, a mobile television unit was directly targeted and several journalists suffered serious injuries after being hit with stones.
State media reported that at least a dozen people were arrested for attempting to steal the scattered money.
Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas warned that the banknotes had no legal value because they had not yet been officially issued by the Central Bank and lacked serial numbers. He said any attempt to use or take the money would be treated as a criminal act and urged the public to respect the mourning and grief of the victims’ families.
Air Force commander Sergio Lora confirmed the number of crew members on board and said emergency teams were continuing rescue and recovery efforts. Bolivia’s health ministry reported that 31 people were injured and issued an urgent appeal for blood donations.
El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed following the crash.
Witnesses described chaotic and frightening scenes. One man told Reuters his sister was injured when part of the aircraft struck her car. Others said weather conditions were severe at the time, with heavy hail and lightning as the plane attempted to land.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and authorities have launched a formal investigation into the incident.
