Bolivia plane crash: 15 killed, 30 injured as aircraft carrying cash skids off runway in bad weather

La Paz (The Uttam Hindu): A major accident occurred Friday evening in the city of El Alto, near the Bolivian capital, La Paz. A Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft belonging to the Bolivian Air Force skidded off the runway during landing in bad weather and crashed onto a busy road.

At least 15 people were killed and more than 30 injured in the crash. The plane was carrying newly printed notes from the country's central bank, which scattered at the scene of the accident, causing chaos.

According to local media and international reports, the plane departed from Santa Cruz de la Sierra and overshot the runway while landing at El Alto International Airport. Preliminary information suggests that bad weather, possibly hail and an icy runway, may have contributed to the accident. The plane collided with vehicles on the road, damaging about a dozen cars and killing several people on the spot.

Videos and photos circulating on social media showed new banknotes (20, 50, and 100 bolivianos) scattered about. Some people were seen trying to pick them up. Security forces used water cannons and tear gas to control the crowds.

The president of Bolivia's central bank clarified that the scattered notes are not legal tender and will not be accepted in transactions, as they were being sent for replacement. The bank has activated security protocols.

The Bolivian Defense Ministry and Air Force have confirmed that the plane belonged to the military. El Alto Airport has been temporarily closed. The national airline, Boliviana de Aviación, clarified that the plane did not belong to them.

Preliminary investigations suggest bad weather and an icy runway are the likely causes of the accident. The deceased include the flight crew and people on the ground. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals.