Bolivia cargo plane crash near La Paz kills 15 after aircraft veers off runway, scattering debris and banknotes across highway.
A cargo plane carrying money crashed near Bolivia’s capital on Friday, turning a routine transport mission into a devastating tragedy. The aircraft veered off the runway while attempting to land in El Alto, a city that overlooks La Paz, before slamming into a nearby field and highway. At least 15 people were killed, and several others were injured as the crash scattered debris, vehicles, and banknotes across the area.
The aircraft involved was a Hercules C-130 operated by the Bolivian air force, and it had been transporting newly printed Bolivian currency. What began as a standard logistical operation quickly escalated into chaos as the plane failed to remain on the runway and careened toward a busy roadway.
Chaos Unfolds at El Alto Airport
According to Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas, the plane landed at El Alto airport but then veered off the runway, eventually coming to rest in a nearby field. Flames engulfed the aircraft shortly after impact, forcing emergency crews into a swift and dangerous response. Firefighters battled the blaze and eventually managed to extinguish it, though the damage had already been done.
Fire chief Pavel Tovar confirmed that at least 15 people had died, although he did not clarify whether the victims were on board the aircraft or traveling in vehicles struck during the crash. The uncertainty added to the confusion at the scene, where debris and destroyed cars were strewn across the highway.
Images circulating on social media showed mangled wreckage, charred vehicles, and bodies lying on the road. Tovar said at least 15 vehicles were damaged when the aircraft plowed through the area, underscoring the scale of destruction caused in seconds.
Missing Crew Members and Ongoing Investigation
The Hercules C-130 had six crew members on board and was arriving from Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s eastern commercial hub. Bolivian Air Force General Sergio Lora said late Friday that two crew members had not yet been located. Search teams continued combing through the crash site in hopes of accounting for everyone involved.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Salinas stated that an investigation is underway to understand why the aircraft failed to remain on the runway. Until official findings are released, questions remain about whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors contributed to the disaster.
Scattered Banknotes Spark Unrest
As if the crash itself were not chaotic enough, the cargo plane carrying money created an additional complication. Newly printed banknotes were thrown from the aircraft during the impact, landing across the field and roadway. Hundreds of people rushed toward the site in an attempt to gather the scattered bills.
Emergency responders struggled to carry out rescue operations as crowds surged into the area. Fire chief Tovar noted that the presence of civilians collecting cash significantly hindered efforts to assist the injured and secure the wreckage.
More than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers were deployed to regain control. Riot police worked to disperse the crowd while military personnel established a perimeter around the crash site.
In a striking move, authorities burned the recovered cash boxes in the presence of Central Bank President David Espinoza. He explained that the bills held no legal value because they had not yet entered circulation, though he did not elaborate further. The total amount of money aboard the plane was not disclosed, but Espinoza confirmed that the banknotes had recently arrived in Santa Cruz from abroad.
Flights Suspended as Nation Awaits Answers
In the aftermath of the cargo plane carrying money crash, authorities temporarily suspended all flights to and from El Alto airport. The measure was taken to secure the area and allow investigators to examine the wreckage without disruption.
As Bolivia mourns the lives lost, attention now turns to the findings of the investigation. The tragedy has left families grieving, officials searching for answers, and a nation grappling with the shocking images of a mission gone terribly wrong.
