Photo credit: France24
A military cargo plane carrying new Bolivian banknotes crashed near the capital Friday after skidding off a runway and plowing into a busy road in the neighbouring city of El-Alto, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 30, according to authorities.
AA reports that the crash occurred around 6.20 ppm local time as the plane was landing at the El-Alto International Airport, having departed from Santa Cruz, the nation’s air traffic control authority reported.
The Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft had departed from the eastern city of Santa Cruz and veered off the runway before striking multiple vehicles on a crowded avenue, damaging a dozen cars before coming to rest i a nearby field, officials confirmed.
The plane was transporting newly printed Bolivian banknotes, which scattered across the roadway during the crash, prompting chaotic scenes as residents rushed to collect the cash while police in riot gear attempted to disperse crowds. Authorities also used water hoses to push people from the debris area.
