Bolivian Military Plane Carrying Banknotes Crashes on City Street, Killing 11

A military aircraft belonging to the Bolivian Air Force crashed Friday evening on a busy main road in the city of El Alto, near the capital La Paz, amid poor weather conditions.

The aircraft, identified as a Hercules transport plane, was reportedly carrying newly printed banknotes to interior regions of the country, according to local broadcaster Unitel, citing Bolivia’s Defense Ministry.

Videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes at the crash site, with people gathering and appearing to collect scattered cash from the ground. 

Local authorities were seen attempting to disperse crowds using water hoses. Reuters said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage.

Bolivia’s fire department confirmed that at least 11 people were killed in the crash. The extent of additional injuries has not yet been fully disclosed.

In a statement, the national carrier Boliviana de Aviación announced the temporary closure of El Alto International Airport following the incident, clarifying that the crashed aircraft was not part of its fleet.

Footage aired by local media showed the plane severely damaged, with several vehicles along the street also affected by the impact. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.