At Least 20 Killed as Bolivian Military Plane Crashes and Scatters Unissued Currency
By Sabeeh Zanair :
A Bolivian air force cargo plane crashed in the western city of El Alto on Friday evening, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more in an accident that scattered unissued banknotes across the scene and triggered violent clashes as onlookers tried to grab the money.
The C-130 Hercules aircraft was approaching El Alto International Airport from Santa Cruz around 6:15 PM local time when it skidded off the runway and collided with vehicles on a nearby highway, according to aviation officials.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
The death toll climbed throughout the evening as rescue workers combed through the wreckage. Firefighters initially reported 15 fatalities, but later updates confirmed at least 20 people had died. Bolivia’s Health Ministry reported 31 injured and issued an urgent call for blood donations, with many victims described as being in serious condition.
The aircraft carried eight crew members, including flight and cargo personnel, Air Force Commander Sergio Lora confirmed. Two crew members remained unaccounted for as of late Friday.
Chaos at the Crash Site
The plane was transporting newly printed banknotes destined for Bolivia’s Central Bank when it went down. The cargo scattered across the ground as wreckage spread over a wide area, drawing crowds of people attempting to gather the currency.
Video footage showed police firing tear gas to disperse the crowds. Some individuals threw rocks at officers, while journalists covering the incident reported being attacked. Bolivia’s National Association of Journalists issued a statement saying a mobile TV unit was directly targeted and reporters suffered serious injuries from stone-throwing while trying to do their work.
Authorities reported arresting at least a dozen people for stealing banknotes from the crash site.
Official Warnings
Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas issued a urgent public warning, stating that the scattered currency held no legal value. He explained the notes had not been issued by the Central Bank and lacked serial numbers, making their use a criminal offense.
Central Bank President David Espinoza later confirmed the notes were in transit for circulation and had not completed the monetization process. Officials burned recovered currency at the scene to prevent it from entering circulation.
Investigation Launched
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Witnesses reported severe weather at the time, including heavy hail and lightning. The Bolivian Air Force has established an accident investigation committee to determine exactly what happened.
El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed following the incident, disrupting flights. More than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers were deployed to secure the area as rescue operations continued through the night.
One witness described the terrifying moment to Reuters: “My sister told me she was in the car when the plane crashed. The plane’s tire fell on the car, and my sister was injured because the impact hit her on the head, so we rushed her to the hospital.”
About Author
