Bolivia, 28 Feb: At least 15 people were killed and 31 others injured after a military cargo aircraft skidded off the runway while landing in the high-altitude city of El Alto on Friday evening, authorities confirmed.
The aircraft, identified as a Lockheed C-130 Hercules operated by the Bolivian Air Force, was approaching from Santa Cruz when the incident occurred at 18:15 local time (22:15 GMT). Officials said the plane veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport, ploughed into nearby vehicles and caught fire.
Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas said the aircraft was carrying newly printed banknotes destined for the Central Bank of Bolivia. He stressed that the currency had not yet entered circulation and therefore had no legal tender status.
“I want to make it clear… that this money has no legal value since it has not been issued by the Central Bank and does not have a serial number,” Salinas said, warning that attempting to use or steal the notes constitutes a crime.
Fire officials reported that around 15 vehicles were damaged in the crash. While authorities did not immediately clarify whether the fatalities were among crew members or civilians on the ground, the Bolivian Air Force confirmed there were eight people on board, including flight and cargo personnel. Two crew members were initially reported missing.
Chaotic scenes unfolded as banknotes were scattered across the crash site. Police in riot gear deployed tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to collect the money. At least a dozen people were arrested, according to state media.
The National Association of Journalists of Bolivia condemned attacks on media crews covering the disaster, saying reporters were struck with stones and a mobile television unit was directly targeted.
Eyewitnesses described severe weather at the time of the crash. One resident said a heavy hailstorm accompanied by lightning was underway as the aircraft attempted to land. Another witness recounted how debris, including a detached tire, struck vehicles on a nearby road.
Bolivia’s health ministry issued an urgent call for blood donations as hospitals treated the injured. Authorities temporarily suspended operations at El Alto International Airport while investigators began examining the cause of the crash.
An official inquiry is under way to determine whether adverse weather or mechanical failure contributed to the accident.
