LA PAZ, BOLIVIA — A Bolivian Air Force Hercules C-130 transport aircraft crashed on Friday evening while attempting to land at El Alto International Airport, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 30 injured, according to local authorities.
The aircraft, reportedly carrying newly printed banknotes, skidded off the runway amid severe weather conditions and struck a busy highway before coming to rest in a nearby field. Police Colonel Rene Tambo, head of the homicide division in El Alto, said the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas confirmed that firefighters quickly extinguished a fire at the crash site. He added that the cause of the accident remains under investigation. Witnesses described heavy hail and lightning at the time of the incident.
Footage circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes as crowds gathered around the wreckage. Some individuals attempted to collect banknotes scattered among debris and damaged vehicles. Security forces deployed water hoses and tear gas to disperse onlookers and prevent looting.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence clarified that the banknotes had no serial numbers and therefore no legal value, warning that possession or use of them would constitute a crime.
Bolivian Air Force General Sergio Lora reported that two of the six crew members remain missing. The Central Bank of Bolivia is expected to provide further details regarding the aircraft’s cargo.
La Paz, situated at an altitude of 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) and surrounded by the Andes, is the world’s highest administrative capital — a challenging environment for aviation operations.
