At least 20 people died Friday in a crash near La Paz, Bolivia, involving a Bolivian military plane carrying banknotes, sparking a scramble among residents to collect the scattered cash.
(Keystone-ATS) A Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed onto a road after a failed landing, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, according to the head of the homicide division of the police, Colonel René Tambo, who spoke to the press at the scene.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health reported at least 28 people had been treated for injuries.
Local hospitals have launched a blood donation campaign to assist those injured in the crash.
The Bolivian Navigation and Airports Authority (NAABOL) stated in a release that a “Bolivian Air Force C-130” aircraft, originating from the city of Santa Cruz, experienced an accident at the “El Alto International Airport,” the country’s second-largest airport, leading to a temporary suspension of operations.
Images from the scene show debris from the destroyed C-130 Hercules scattered across a street in El Alto, alongside severely damaged vehicles.
President Rodrigo Paz expressed his solidarity and condolences to the families of those killed and injured, stating on social media, “This is a day of great pain.”
Looting
“It was hailing heavily and there was lightning,” recounted Cristina Choque, a 60-year-old vendor, to AFP, adding that her car was struck by a tire from the aircraft and her daughter sustained a head injury.
Choque and her family remained inside their vehicle, fearing they would be robbed by the gathering crowd.
The plane, which had departed from Santa Cruz, was transporting newly printed banknotes from the Central Bank, which scattered across the ground. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to collect the money, according to television footage.
A group reportedly made repeated attempts to access the cargo inside the aircraft, but were unsuccessful, journalists from AFP observed.
“The money transported in the crashed aircraft has no official numbering or serial number and is, devoid of legal value and any purchasing power. Its collection, possession, or apply constitutes a crime,” warned the Ministry of Defense in a statement.
The ministry indicated the cause of the accident remains unknown and announced the formation of an investigative commission to determine the circumstances.
Authorities ordered the burning of the banknote-filled crates overnight at the crash site.
The La Paz prosecutor’s office also reported instances of looting of businesses in the area, with 12 arrests made, according to prosecutor Luis Carlos Torres.
