Bolivia air force cargo plane crash kills at least 15 in El Alto

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El Alto: At least 15 people were killed after a military cargo aircraft went down in the western Bolivian city of El Alto, local media reported, citing emergency services. The incident occurred as the aircraft was approaching El Alto International Airport, a major aviation hub serving the capital region.

Authorities said the aircraft had departed from Santa Cruz de la Sierra and was nearing the end of its flight when it reportedly lost control on landing, left the runway and struck vehicles near the airport perimeter. The crash happened in the early evening, prompting an immediate emergency response and the temporary suspension of airport operations.

The defence ministry later confirmed that the aircraft involved was a C-130 Hercules operated by the Bolivian Air Force and that it was transporting newly printed currency for the Central Bank of Bolivia. Officials did not disclose how many crew members were on board and have not released an official casualty count.

Following the impact, security forces used tear gas to disperse people who gathered near the wreckage and were allegedly attempting to collect banknotes scattered around the crash site. Footage circulating on social media showed damaged vehicles, the heavily wrecked aircraft and police forming lines to push crowds away from the area.

Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas warned that the money being transported had no legal value because it had not yet been formally issued, adding that any attempt to take or use the banknotes would constitute a criminal offence. He also appealed for calm and urged the public to respect the victims and their families.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes moments after the crash. An official investigation has been launched to determine what caused the accident.

Photo Credit: X/@War_Monitoring