A Bolivian Air Force cargo plane crashed near the capital city of La Paz on Friday evening, February 27, killing at least 22 people and scattering newly printed banknotes across a highway, according to reports from Al Jazeera and AFP.
The Hercules C-130 aircraft skidded off the runway at El Alto International Airport around 6:15 p.m. local time after arriving from Santa Cruz. The plane veered into a nearby field, crashed onto Costanera Avenue, struck vehicles and burst into flames.
Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas confirmed the aircraft was transporting newly printed Bolivian currency when it “landed and veered off the runway” before ending up in the field. Firefighters extinguished the blaze that engulfed the wreckage, but not before the crash left a scene of devastation.
At least 15 vehicles were destroyed in the crash, with debris, bodies and banknotes scattered across the road. The death toll, initially reported at 15 on Friday, climbed to 22 by Saturday, according to Associated Press reports. Among the dead were 12 men, including one crew member, six women and four children. Another 29 people sustained injuries, mostly passengers traveling on public buses struck by the aircraft.
The aircraft carried eight crew members, including flight and cargo personnel. Forensic investigators worked through Saturday to recover remains from the wreckage, while injured victims received treatment at clinics throughout El Alto.
The crash triggered chaos as hundreds of people rushed to collect scattered banknotes. Police in riot gear deployed tear gas and water hoses to disperse the crowds, while more than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers struggled to secure the area.
Authorities arrested at least a dozen people for attempting to steal the currency. Video footage showed individuals throwing stones at authorities and attacking journalists covering the incident. The National Association of Journalists of Bolivia reported that several reporters suffered injuries, with a mobile television unit directly targeted during the violence.
To prevent further looting, police and military personnel burned cash boxes at the crash site in the presence of Central Bank President David Espinoza. He warned the public that the banknotes “have no legal value because they never entered circulation.”
The central bank confirmed the aircraft was transporting 18 tons of new banknotes that had arrived in Santa Cruz from abroad. The bills had not been officially issued, and Defense Minister Salinas emphasized that attempting to use the cash constitutes a crime.
El Alto International Airport closed temporarily following the crash, with all flights suspended. The airport, which serves both El Alto and the adjacent capital city of La Paz, handles flights for Boliviana de Aviación, the national airline.
Witnesses described severe weather conditions at the time of the crash, including a heavy hailstorm and lightning. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by Bolivian aviation authorities. Defense ministry officials warned that analysis of the aircraft’s black boxes could take “from several weeks to more than a year.”
The health ministry issued an urgent appeal for blood donations as hospitals treated dozens of injured victims. The ministry coordinated with medical facilities across El Alto to ensure adequate care for those requiring emergency treatment.
Images from the scene showed extensive damage, with the aircraft severely damaged and vehicles crushed beneath debris. The C-130 Hercules, a military transport aircraft used by air forces worldwide, has served in the Bolivian Air Force for cargo operations including the transportation of sensitive materials like currency. The aircraft involved was a 49-year-old Lockheed C-130H Hercules, tail number FAB-81.
Bolivian Air Force General Sergio Lora confirmed the plane departed from Santa Cruz and was en route to La Paz when the accident occurred. Two crew members remained unaccounted for as of late Friday evening.
The crash stands as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Bolivia in recent years. Investigators from the defense ministry and aviation authorities continue to examine the wreckage and interview witnesses to determine what caused the aircraft to veer off the runway upon landing.
President Rodrigo Paz expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. The tragedy has prompted calls for improved safety measures at El Alto International Airport, which sits at an elevation of over 13,300 feet, making it the highest international airport in the world. The high altitude and frequent severe weather create challenging conditions for aircraft operations.