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At least 15 people died Friday when a military cargo plane carrying newly printed currency crashed near Bolivia’s capital, scattering bills across the crash site and drawing crowds that hampered rescue efforts.
The Hercules C-130 aircraft, operated by the Bolivian Air Force, “landed and veered off the runway” at El Alto airport before ending up in a nearby field, Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas said. The airport serves La Paz and is situated in El Alto, a city adjacent to the Bolivian capital.
Fire Chief Pavel Tovar confirmed at least 15 fatalities but did not specify whether the dead were aboard the plane or in vehicles struck on a nearby highway. The crash damaged approximately a dozen cars, with social media images showing destroyed vehicles, aircraft debris and bodies scattered across the road.
Bolivian Air Force General Sergio Lora reported that two of the plane’s six crew members remained unaccounted for late Friday. The aircraft had been arriving from Santa Cruz, a major city in Bolivia’s eastern lowlands about 550 kilometers from La Paz.
The plane was transporting newly printed Bolivian currency to La Paz when the accident occurred. In chaotic scenes following the crash, hundreds of people rushed to collect bills scattered at the site while police in riot gear attempted to disperse them.
“The hundreds of people trying to collect the spilled bills were hindering rescue efforts,” Tovar said, highlighting how the unusual cargo complicated emergency response.
Authorities deployed more than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers to secure the crash area and control the crowds. In an unusual move, police and military personnel burned the cash boxes under the supervision of Central Bank President David Espinoza.
“The bills have no legal value because they never entered circulation,” Espinoza stated, though he did not clarify exactly what this meant in terms of the currency’s status. He declined to specify the total amount of money being transported but confirmed the banknotes had arrived in Santa Cruz from abroad, suggesting they were likely newly printed currency being delivered to Bolivia.
The incident temporarily shut down all flights to and from El Alto International Airport, disrupting travel in the region. At 4,061 meters (13,323 feet) above sea level, El Alto airport is one of the world’s highest commercial airports, presenting unique challenges for aircraft operations due to the thin atmosphere.
Bolivia, a landlocked South American nation of about 12 million people, relies heavily on air transport to connect its diverse geographical regions, from the Andean highlands to the Amazon basin lowlands. The Bolivian Air Force operates several C-130 Hercules aircraft, which are workhorses for military and humanitarian transport missions worldwide.
The investigation into the crash cause is ongoing, according to Defense Minister Salinas. Aviation experts note that accidents involving military transport aircraft can result from various factors, including mechanical failure, human error, or the challenging high-altitude conditions around La Paz.
This incident represents one of Bolivia’s most significant aviation accidents in recent years and is particularly unusual due to the valuable cargo involved. Currency shipments typically involve strict security protocols, and the chaotic aftermath of cash scattered across a crash site presented extraordinary challenges for authorities.
Local hospitals in El Alto and La Paz were treating an unspecified number of injured people from the crash, according to local media reports.
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13 Comments
This is a tragic incident. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I hope the investigation can determine the cause and prevent such accidents in the future.
My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the victims. This highlights the importance of robust safety measures for all air cargo operations, especially those involving sensitive or high-value shipments.
This is a shocking and tragic incident. I’m curious to learn more about the cargo onboard and the specific circumstances around the crash. Thorough investigations are crucial to prevent similar accidents in the future.
How devastating for the families of those who perished. I hope the investigation can provide answers and lead to improvements in cargo plane safety, both in Bolivia and globally.
My sympathies to the victims and their loved ones. This incident highlights the dangers of air transport, even for routine cargo flights. I hope the authorities can determine the exact cause and take steps to improve aviation safety in Bolivia.
Such a tragic incident. My heart goes out to the victims’ families. I wonder if there were any mechanical issues with the aircraft or if human error played a role. Comprehensive safety reviews are needed to prevent future crashes.
Devastating news. My deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. I hope the authorities can swiftly determine the cause and take appropriate measures to enhance aviation safety in Bolivia.
This is a tragic loss of life. I’m curious to know more about the cargo and whether it was properly secured. Currency transport requires robust safety protocols to prevent such catastrophic events.
Agreed. The details around the cargo and flight procedures will be crucial in understanding what went wrong. Proper oversight and training are essential for sensitive transport operations.
What a tragic loss of life. I hope the investigation can shed light on the cause of this crash and lead to improvements in cargo plane safety protocols, both in Bolivia and internationally.
It’s unsettling to hear about a cargo plane crash carrying large sums of money. I wonder what security measures were in place and if there were any indications of foul play. Hoping the authorities can provide more details soon.
That’s a good point. Securing currency transportation is critical, especially for a large amount like this. Hopefully the investigation will shed light on any potential security lapses.
This is a terrible tragedy. I’m curious to know more about the security protocols in place for transporting large sums of cash by air. Proper safeguards are crucial to protect both the cargo and the crew.