At least 15 people were killed after a military plane carrying banknotes crashed near Bolivia's capital La Paz on Friday, damaging several vehicles on a highway and scattering money on the road, The Guardian reports.
At least 15 people have lost their lives after a military plane crashed. PHOTO: X/@publicnews
The head of the fire brigade, Pavel Tovar, did not specify whether the victims were on board the aircraft or on the road near the airport. He confirmed, however, that several people were injured.
Images released by local media showed people rushing to collect the scattered banknotes, while riot police officers tried to disperse them using tear gas.
The aircraft involved is a Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane that ran off the runway at El Alto International Airport and skidded along a roadway before coming to rest in a field.
Wreckage of the plane, destroyed cars and lifeless bodies were seen on the road. According to Tovar, at least 15 vehicles were involved in the incident. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire that broke out after the impact.
Defense Minister: “This money has no legal value”
Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas issued a clear warning to those who tried to take the banknotes from the crash site: “I want to make it very clear to those trying to take money from the plane involved in this tragedy that this money has no legal value, as it was not issued by the Central Bank and has no serial number, and the attempt to use this money is a crime.”
He also called for respect for mourning:
“We also ask all those who commit acts of vandalism in this area to refrain and respect the mourning and pain that we are going through in these difficult times.”
A witness told Reuters that his sister was in a car hit by a wheel detached from the plane at the time of the crash. “A wheel of the plane fell on the car, and my sister was injured because the impact of the wheel hit her in the head, so she was rushed to the hospital.” said the man.
The aircraft had taken off from Santa Cruz
According to the Bolivian Authority for Air Navigation and Airports (NAABOL), the plane had taken off from the city of Santa Cruz and crashed while landing in La Paz. Following the accident, the airport temporarily suspended its operations.
Bolivian Air Force General Sergio Lora said two of the six crew members were missing as of Friday evening. He stated that the aircraft had loaded its cargo in Santa Cruz.
El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed, and the authorities opened an investigation to determine the exact causes of the tragedy.
