Bolivia’s military plane carrying banknotes crashes in capital city, at least 20 killed
At least 20 people were killed on Friday (February 27, 2026) when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital La Paz, authorities said, prompting police to repel bystanders grabbing spilled cash.
The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and crashed into an avenue, crushing at least one car and damaging trucks, local media footage showed.
“There are about 20, maybe a few more,” Colonel Rene Tambo, head of the police homicide division in El Alto, told reporters late Friday (February 27, 2026). Firefighters had given an earlier toll of at least 15 dead.
“We are recovering the bodies of these people who have sadly suffered in the accident,” Colonel Pavel Tovar of the national fire department told reporters, saying at least 15 people died in the disaster.
Mr. Tovar did not clarify if the dead were in the plane or in the cars on the highway near the airport in La Paz. He said there were people injured.
The aircraft struck vehicles in the city of El Alto, which is adjacent to La Paz, before coming to rest in a field, according to images circulating on social media. There were conflicting reports of whether the plane was taking off or landing when it crashed.
Debris from the aircraft, destroyed cars, and bodies littered the road. According to Mr. Tovar, at least 15 vehicles were involved. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames engulfing the aircraft.
Images circulating on social media showed people rushing to collect the bills while police in riot gear tried to disperse them.
Authorities temporarily suspended all flights to and from the terminal.
