Key Points
- A Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules crashed near El Alto International Airport on Friday, February 27, 2026.
- The aircraft was transporting a high-value cargo of new banknotes from the Central Bank of Bolivia.
- At least 15 people are confirmed dead, and 30 others are injured, including victims on the ground and those on board.
- The plane collided with at least 15 vehicles on a busy avenue after skidding off the runway during inclement weather.
- Police utilized tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to seize cash from the wreckage.
In a tragic and surreal scene, a Bolivian Air Force Hercules C-130 cargo plane plummeted into a densely populated area of El Alto on Friday evening, February 27, 2026. The disaster, which occurred near the administrative capital of La Paz, has left at least 15 people dead and dozens more injured. The aircraft, which had departed from Santa Cruz, was on a mission to deliver freshly printed banknotes from the Central Bank to the country’s interior when it lost control, reportedly amid deteriorating weather conditions.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying sequence of events as the massive military transport plane veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and careened toward a busy neighboring avenue. The aircraft’s path of destruction carved through local traffic, striking approximately 15 vehicles. Images from the scene showed mangled cars, smoldering debris, and a plume of thick black smoke rising above the high-altitude city. Fire Chief Pavel Tovar confirmed the grim death toll, though officials are still working to determine the exact breakdown of casualties between those on the flight and civilians caught in the impact.
“Banknote Bonanza” Sparks Chaos
The tragedy took a bizarre turn in the moments following the crash. As the fuselage fractured, the cargo of new currency notes was flung across the road and surrounding fields. Social media footage captured hundreds of residents rushing toward the burning wreckage, appearing to scramble for the scattered bills. This “cash grab” significantly hampered initial rescue efforts, forcing authorities to deploy riot police. Officers used tear gas and water cannons to push back the crowds and secure the site for emergency responders.
“The impact was severe, but the ensuing rush for the money made a difficult rescue operation nearly impossible,” noted one local official on the scene.
Investigation and Airport Status
Bolivia’s national airline, Boliviana de Aviación, clarified shortly after the incident that the aircraft was not part of its commercial fleet. El Alto International Airport was temporarily shuttered to all traffic, stranding hundreds of passengers as investigators began their work.
The Central Bank of Bolivia and the Ministry of Defense have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. Experts are looking into potential factors, including mechanical failure, pilot error, or the extreme challenges of operating heavy cargo at El Alto’s 13,000-foot altitude during a storm. As of Saturday morning, February 28, recovery operations continue, and the nation remains in shock over a disaster that combined a high human toll with a chaotic frenzy for currency.
