NAIROBI, Kenya- At least 15 people have been killed and dozens injured after a Bolivian Air Force cargo plane crashed while landing in the western city of El Alto, authorities have confirmed.
The crash occurred at about 6:15pm local time on Friday as the aircraft was arriving at El Alto International Airport from Santa Cruz. Aviation officials said the plane skidded off the runway and ploughed into nearby vehicles.
Military Aircraft Carrying Banknotes
Bolivia’s defence ministry later confirmed that the aircraft involved was a C-130 Hercules operated by the Bolivian Air Force.
According to the ministry, the plane had been transporting banknotes to the Central Bank of Bolivia. However, officials did not disclose how many people were on board or how many of the fatalities were passengers versus civilians on the ground.
Bolivia’s health ministry said at least 31 people were injured and issued an urgent appeal for blood donations.
Tear Gas, Arrests, and Attacks on Journalists
Following the crash, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds that had gathered near the wreckage, amid reports that some individuals were attempting to steal scattered banknotes.
The government-run Bolivian News Agency reported that at least a dozen people were arrested for looting.
In a statement, the National Association of Journalists of Bolivia said media crews covering the tragedy were attacked.
“Individuals attempting to steal the transported money attacked the press with unusual violence,” the association said, adding that journalists were injured by stones while reporting from the scene.
Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas warned that the money being transported had no legal value and that attempting to take or use it was a criminal offence.
Weather and Investigation
Witnesses told local media that weather conditions were poor at the time of the crash, with heavy hail and lightning reported in the area.
El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed as emergency teams secured the scene and investigators began probing the cause of the accident.
For now, the tragedy has left Bolivia mourning — not only the lives lost, but the disturbing scenes of chaos that unfolded in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
