At least 11 killed as Bolivian military plane carrying banknotes crashes at El Alto
Feb 28th 2026
A Bolivian Air Force C-130 skidded off the runway at El Alto and hit vehicles on a nearby motorway, with media reporting at least 11 dead; authorities say the cargo was invalid banknotes and have opened an investigation.
- The crash occurred Friday at 18:20 local time (22:20 GMT) as the plane was arriving at El Alto International Airport from Santa Cruz.
- Media reported at least 11 people were killed and others injured after the aircraft skidded off the runway and struck vehicles on a nearby motorway.
- The defence ministry confirmed the aircraft was a C-130 Hercules transporting banknotes to the Central Bank of Bolivia.
- The defence ministry warned the banknotes had no purchasing power and said collecting or using them would be a crime.
- People reportedly approached the crash site trying to take banknotes and the airport was temporarily closed.
- An official investigation is under way into the cause of the accident