EL ALTO, Bolivia, March 1, 2026 — A Bolivian Air Force cargo plane carrying newly printed banknotes crashed in the densely populated city of El Alto, killing at least 22 people and injuring dozens more, according to officials.

The aircraft, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane, was attempting to land at El Alto International Airport on Friday evening when it veered off the runway and ploughed into a busy highway. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the plane erupted into flames, striking vehicles and scattering banknotes across the crash site.

Authorities confirmed that the plane was transporting 18 tons of banknotes from the Central Bank of Bolivia to other cities. Social media footage showed residents rushing to the wreckage, with some attempting to collect bills strewn across the ground before police intervened.

Police Colonel Rene Tambo, head of the homicide division in El Alto, said, “There are about 20, maybe a few more,” referring to the number of fatalities, while Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas explained that the aircraft “landed and veered off the runway” before coming to a stop in a nearby field.

Rescue teams worked throughout the night to recover victims and secure the scattered currency, while forensic officers examined the wreckage. Officials warned that determining the cause of the crash could take more than a year, given the complexity of the investigation.

The tragedy has sparked widespread concern in Bolivia, not only for the loss of life but also for the security risks posed by the scattered banknotes. Authorities have urged residents to return any recovered bills, stressing that possession of the money could lead to legal consequences.

The crash marks one of the deadliest air disasters in Bolivia in recent years, underscoring both the risks of military transport operations and the challenges of managing aviation safety in high-altitude regions like El Alto.

Image from Reuters