El Alto, Bolivia: A Bolivian Air Force Hercules C‑130 cargo aircraft crashed onto a crowded roadway near El Alto International Airport on Friday evening, February 27, 2026, killing at least 15 people and injuring at least 30 more, authorities said. The aircraft, carrying newly printed banknotes for Bolivia’s central bank, veered off the runway and struck multiple vehicles on a busy urban avenue, triggering a chaotic emergency response.
The military transport aircraft, operated by the Bolivian Air Force, departed from Santa Cruz and was approaching El Alto, a high‑altitude city adjacent to the administrative capital, La Paz, when it skidded off the runway at El Alto International Airport. The Hercules C‑130 then slid onto Costanera Avenue, a principal thoroughfare often filled with traffic.
Local officials confirmed it overran the runway and entered a busy road, impacting dozens of vehicles.
Fire Chief Pavel Tovar told reporters that at least 15 people have died in the crash. Officials have not fully clarified whether the fatalities include crew members aboard the aircraft, people in struck vehicles, or both. Rescue teams recovered bodies from the crash scene, including the roadway where mangled debris and aircraft wreckage lay scattered.
At least 30 people were injured, with several reported in serious condition at nearby hospitals. Emergency services, including firefighters and medical teams, worked into the night to transport the wounded and control the scene.
The cargo plane was confirmed to be transporting newly printed Bolivian banknotes, reportedly bound for circulation in other parts of the country. Upon impact, a large amount of currency spilled onto the roadway.
Videos shared on social media showed crowds of people gathering near the wreckage, with some picking up scattered bills. Local police deployed water hoses and tear gas to disperse bystanders and secure the area, complicating rescue efforts.
Bolivia’s central bank said the notes were not yet legal tender at the time of the crash, as they had not been issued into circulation.
Local media footage and official statements from the national fire department showed dozens of vehicles damaged or destroyed by the aircraft’s uncontrolled exit from the runway. Cars, trucks, and minibuses along Costanera Avenue bore the brunt of the impact.
El Alto International Airport temporarily suspended flight operations in the aftermath to facilitate emergency work and investigations. Boliviana de Aviación, Bolivia’s national airline, confirmed the crashed aircraft was not part of its commercial fleet.
Official investigators have launched a probe to determine the precise cause of the accident. Although weather conditions including reports of poor visibility and possible hail were present at the time, authorities have not yet confirmed whether weather, technical failure, pilot error, or a combination of factors contributed to the crash.
El Alto’s high altitude roughly 4,000 m (about 13,000 ft) above sea level also presents operational challenges for aircraft, where thinner air affects engine performance and braking efficiency.
Search and rescue efforts, forensic recovery of remains, and broader investigations are ongoing. The Bolivian Ministry of Defence and national aviation authorities are expected to provide further updates.
