A military cargo plane carrying banknotes skidded off the runway near La Paz on Friday and crashed into a busy avenue in El Alto, officials said. Fifteen people were reported dead and at least 30 others injured.
Fire Chief Pavel Tovar did not specify whether the fatalities were among those on the aircraft or occupants of vehicles on the highway adjacent to the capital. Videos and local media showed the C-130 Hercules veering off the runway, striking about a dozen vehicles on a crowded road before stopping in a field. The banknotes aboard were scattered across the scene.
Footage and photos captured residents rushing to collect the money while police in riot gear sought to disperse crowds. Firefighters extinguished flames from the crash, and the Defense Ministry confirmed the incident but has provided few details.
Bolivian Air Navigation and Airports authority NAABOL said the plane had departed from Santa Cruz. Earlier reports conflicted on whether the aircraft crashed during takeoff or on landing. Bolivia’s central bank was scheduled to brief reporters later Friday. Edited by: Wesley Dockery
