15 Killed After Military Plane Crashes Near Bolivian Capital
ISTANBUL | 28 February 2026
Aircraft Skids Off Runway in El Alto
At least 15 people lost their lives and more than 30 others suffered injuries after a Bolivian military cargo plane crashed near the capital on Friday.
The accident occurred at approximately 6:20 p.m. local time (2220 GMT) as the aircraft attempted to land at El Alto International Airport. According to Bolivia’s air traffic authority, the plane had departed from Santa Cruz and encountered trouble during landing.
Plane Strikes Vehicles on Busy Highway
The Bolivian Air Force confirmed that the C-130 Hercules aircraft veered off the runway and crashed onto a crowded road in El Alto. As a result, the plane struck several vehicles, damaged around a dozen cars, and finally stopped in a nearby field.
Emergency teams responded quickly. Firefighters extinguished flames caused by the impact, while medical crews transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
Authorities Assess Casualties
Fire Chief Pavel Tovar stated that officials are still determining whether the victims were passengers on board or motorists traveling on the highway. Meanwhile, authorities have launched a formal investigation to clarify whether the crash happened during landing or takeoff.
In addition, the Defense Ministry has not yet released detailed operational information.
Banknotes Scatter Across Crash Site
The aircraft was carrying newly printed Bolivian banknotes at the time of the accident. When the plane crashed, large amounts of cash scattered across the roadway. This led to chaotic scenes as residents rushed to collect the money.
Police officers in riot gear intervened to control the crowd. Officers used water hoses and formed barriers to clear people from the crash site and secure the area.
The state air navigation authority, NAABOL, confirmed that the aircraft had flown from Santa Cruz. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
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