Tragedy in El Alto: Cargo Plane Crash Kills at Least 15

A Bolivian military Hercules C-130, arriving from Santa Cruz, met with disaster on Friday, February 27, 2026. Attempting to land at El Alto International Airport during a violent hailstorm, the aircraft veered off course, plowing through a highway and striking 15 vehicles before breaking apart.

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The Toll

• Casualties: At least 15 confirmed dead and 30+ injured. Search teams are still looking for two missing crew members.
• The Scene: The fuselage split on impact, spilling its cargo—millions in newly printed banknotes—across the highway.

Chaos and “Worthless” Cash

The crash site turned into a scene of absolute pandemonium as bystanders attempted to loot the scattered money.

• Military Intervention: Security forces used tear gas and water cannons to push back the crowds.
• The Catch: The Central Bank confirmed the notes have no legal value, as they hadn’t entered circulation or received serial numbers.
• The Burn: In a drastic move to end the looting, soldiers burned the remaining cash crates in a massive bonfire on the airfield.

What’s Next?

Investigators are currently analyzing the flight recorders to determine if the crash was caused by the severe weather or a mechanical failure. While airport operations are resuming, the highway remains a recovery zone.