A Lockheed C-130H Hercules military transport aircraft operated by the Bolivian Air Force crashed Friday night (27) after landing at El Alto International Airport in La Paz.
The accident left at least 20 people dead and around 30 injured, according to preliminary information from local authorities.
The aircraft, identified as FAB-81, had departed from Santa Cruz hours earlier carrying newly printed banknotes from the Central Bank of Bolivia. According to initial reports, the C-130 successfully landed but lost control during deceleration, veered off the runway, and entered a nearby avenue, striking multiple vehicles.
Cash scattered and chaos at the scene
Upon impact, bundles of banknotes were thrown from the aircraft and scattered across the crash site. Witnesses reported that people nearby rushed to collect the money, causing disorder.
Bolivian police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and reinforced security around the area. The Central Bank stated in a release that the transported banknotes were not yet in circulation and therefore have no legal value.
Weather conditions and investigation
The crash occurred amid adverse weather conditions in the El Alto region, located at more than 4,000 meters above sea level — one of the highest international airports in the world, posing additional operational challenges for aircraft.
Military sources indicated that the aircraft involved is a C-130H Hercules that underwent a modernization process in 2024. The Bolivian Air Force has launched an investigation to determine the causes of the accident, including the possible influence of bad weather and any technical failures.
Rescue teams worked throughout the night to recover victims and assist the injured, who were transported to hospitals in the La Paz metropolitan area.
Authorities have not yet released an official list of victims, and the death toll and number of injured may be updated in the coming hours as search and identification operations continue.
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Source and images: OSINTdefender, X @sentdefender. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
A C-130H Hercules with the Bolivian Air Force crashed earlier this evening on a major roadway outside of El Alto International Airport in La Paz, Bolivia, killing 15 and injuring more than 30. The C-130, which had departed from Santa Cruz several hours before carrying new… pic.twitter.com/uP1VTAaFNb
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026
