EL ALTO, BOLIVIA — The city of El Alto, situated in the thin air of the Andes, witnessed a harrowing scene on Friday evening, February 27, 2026. A Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo plane, carrying a shipment of newly printed banknotes for the Central Bank, skidded off the runway at El Alto International Airport and slammed into a busy highway, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life and a chaotic aftermath.

The Sequence of Events
The incident occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. local time as the aircraft, which had departed from Santa Cruz, was attempting to land. According to witnesses and preliminary reports, the plane veered off the tarmac amidst treacherous weather conditions, including heavy hail and lightning, eventually coming to rest on Costanera Avenue near the “Puente Bolivia” (Bolivia Bridge).

The impact was immediate and devastating, destroying multiple civilian vehicles and trucks that were transiting the busy thoroughfare at the time.

A Scene of Chaos
The tragedy took a surreal and distressing turn in the minutes following the crash. As the fuselage of the aircraft broke open, an undisclosed amount of unissued, non-legal-tender banknotes scattered across the highway.

In a disturbing display of desperation and confusion, crowds of bystanders rushed toward the wreckage, attempting to gather the debris and the money. The situation escalated rapidly, forcing security forces and riot police to deploy tear gas to disperse the onlookers, clear the area, and allow emergency medical teams to reach the injured trapped in the wreckage and crushed vehicles.

The Toll and the Investigation
As of Saturday morning, local authorities, including the fire department and police, reported at least 20 confirmed fatalities, with over 30 others sustaining injuries. The victims include both military personnel aboard the aircraft and civilians who were on the ground at the time of the impact.

National Response: The Ministry of Defense has launched an official investigation into the cause of the accident. They have explicitly warned the public that the recovered banknotes have no serial numbers or purchasing power, and that possessing or attempting to use them constitutes a criminal offense.
Operational Impact: Operations at El Alto International Airport were suspended, stranding numerous flights and diverting traffic from the administrative capital of La Paz.
The tragedy has left the nation in mourning, with the government calling for calm and blood donations to support the overwhelmed hospitals in La Paz and El Alto.