At least 15 people died after a Bolivian military cargo plane crashed in the western city of El Alto, authorities confirmed.
The accident happened around 18:15 local time on Friday as the aircraft approached El Alto International Airport from Santa Cruz. Aviation officials said the plane skidded off the runway and slammed into nearby vehicles.
Bolivia’s defence ministry confirmed that a C-130 Hercules aircraft was involved. The plane was transporting banknotes to the Central Bank of Bolivia. Air Force Commander Sergio Lora said eight crew members, including cargo staff and flight crew, were on board.
Video footage showed the damaged aircraft and crushed vehicles near the runway. Chaos broke out after the crash. Some people tried to take the scattered banknotes from the wreckage. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds. Officers formed lines with shields as some individuals threw rocks.
The National Association of Journalists of Bolivia said attackers targeted media crews covering the incident. It reported that a mobile TV unit was directly attacked. Several journalists suffered injuries after being hit with stones.
The government-run Bolivian News Agency reported that police arrested at least a dozen people for stealing banknotes.
Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas warned the public not to use the money. He said the banknotes had no legal value because the Central Bank had not issued them and they lacked serial numbers. He added that using or taking the money would be considered a crime. He also urged people to respect the mourning families and avoid vandalism.
Bolivia’s health ministry said 31 people were injured in the crash. Officials called for urgent blood donations. Authorities temporarily closed El Alto International Airport following the accident.
One witness told reporters that his sister was inside a car when part of the aircraft struck it. He said a tire hit her on the head, and she was rushed to hospital.
The cause of the crash remains unclear. Some witnesses reported severe weather at the time. They described a heavy hailstorm and lightning as the plane approached the airport.
Officials have launched an investigation to determine what led to the tragedy.
