15 Killed in Military Plane Crash in Bolivia

At least 15 people were killed Friday when a Bolivian military aircraft crashed near La Paz’s El Alto International Airport, authorities confirmed.

The C-130 military transport plane, operated by the Bolivian Air Force, was arriving from Santa Cruz when it veered off the runway and collided with vehicles outside the airport perimeter, according to Bolivia’s air navigation and airport authority. The incident forced the temporary suspension of operations at El Alto International Airport.

Fire officials at the scene said between 15 and 16 people were confirmed dead, with fatalities reported both inside the airport area and on a nearby busy street where the aircraft struck several vehicles. Emergency crews continued recovering bodies from the crash site as rescue operations unfolded.

Earlier reports from the fire department indicated that some victims died at the airport, while others were killed in the surrounding area following the collision.

Local media footage showed heavy damage to vehicles and debris scattered across the roadway. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The aircraft was reportedly transporting banknotes at the time of the accident. Images broadcast by local television showed crowds gathering near the wreckage attempting to collect loose cash, prompting police to disperse them using tear gas.

Bolivia’s Defense Ministry later clarified that the banknotes carried aboard the aircraft did not bear official serial numbers and therefore have no legal value or purchasing power. The ministry warned that collecting, possessing, or using the recovered notes constitutes a criminal offense.