At least 20 people have been killed after a Bolivian military transport aircraft carrying large quantities of banknotes crashed while attempting to land near La Paz, according to police and emergency officials.
The aircraft, identified as a C-130 Hercules operated by the Bolivian military, came down near El Alto International Airport on Friday. Authorities said the plane veered off the runway during its approach before crashing onto a busy avenue, striking several vehicles and scattering debris across the roadway.
Television footage from the scene showed wreckage strewn across the street and damaged cars and trucks amid heavy smoke. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as bystanders rushed toward the crash site, some attempting to collect bundles of cash that had spilled from the aircraft. Police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds and secure the area.
Colonel René Tambo, head of the police homicide division in El Alto, said the death toll stood at around 20, though the figure could rise as recovery efforts continued. Earlier, fire department officials had placed the number of fatalities slightly lower. Bolivia’s health ministry confirmed that at least 28 people were injured in the crash.
Casualties were reported both at the airport and along the avenue where the plane struck vehicles. Emergency crews worked through the evening to retrieve bodies from the wreckage.
The Bolivian Air Navigation and Airports Authority (NAABOL) said the aircraft had departed from the eastern city of Santa Cruz and crashed during its landing at El Alto, one of the world’s highest international airports at more than 3,600 metres above sea level. Airport operations were suspended following the incident.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established. Witnesses described severe weather conditions at the time, including heavy hail and lightning. One resident whose vehicle was hit by debris said her daughter sustained head injuries during the incident.
The Ministry of Defence announced that an investigation would be launched to determine the circumstances of the accident. In a statement, it said the cash being transported did not carry official serial numbers and therefore held no legal tender status. Officials warned that collecting or using the money would constitute a criminal offence.
Local prosecutors said several individuals had been detained for questioning amid reports of looting and opportunistic crime in the aftermath of the crash. Authorities also confirmed that some nearby businesses were targeted during the unrest.
Hospitals in El Alto initiated blood donation drives to assist the injured as medical teams continued treating survivors.
The disaster has shocked Bolivia, where aviation incidents are rare but challenging flying conditions — including high altitude and rapidly changing weather — can complicate operations around La Paz.
