22 Dead as Cash-Laden Bolivian Military Plane Crashes Near La Paz

At least 22 people lost their lives when a Bolivian military cargo aircraft carrying banknotes crashed while attempting to land near La Paz, according to police reports on Friday. The incident occurred as the C-130 Hercules transport plane, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and crashed into a nearby avenue.

Local media footage showed the aftermath of the crash, with mangled parts of the aircraft scattered across the road. The impact destroyed several cars and damaged trucks in the vicinity. Witnesses described scenes of bystanders rushing to collect the scattered cash from the crash site, prompting police to intervene. Authorities deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds attempting to loot the area.

In response to the chaos, officials were later seen burning the recovered banknotes in a bonfire at the scene. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, but witnesses told AFP that weather conditions at the time were treacherous.

In addition to the fatalities, reports indicate that 28 people were injured in the incident. Hospitals in the area launched an emergency blood donation drive to assist those wounded in the crash.

The Bolivian Ministry of Defence has announced that it will initiate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not yet released further details on the cause or the identities of those on board.