A military transport aircraft operated by the Bolivian Air Force crashed onto a highway in El Alto, near La Paz, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and more than 30 injuries. The Hercules C-130 was carrying a cargo of newly printed banknotes when it attempted to land at El Alto International Airport and encountered bad weather conditions, including heavy hail and lightning.
Authorities report that the aircraft skidded off the runway and struck a road, igniting a fire that responders were able to extinguish. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with crowds gathering at the crash site, some collecting scattered banknotes amid wreckage. Security personnel used water hoses and tear gas to disperse onlookers and looters.
The Ministry of Defence noted that the money onboard has no official serial number and holds no legal or purchasing value, warning that possessing such money may constitute a crime. Bolivian Air Force General Sergio Lora confirmed that two crew members remain unaccounted for. Further details about the cargo are expected following a briefing by the central bank.
Bolivia’s La Paz sits at an elevation of 3,650 meters, making it the world's highest administrative capital. The incident highlights the dangers of flying in adverse weather and the risks associated with transporting currency in aircraft during such conditions.
