Bolivian authorities burned scattered unissued banknotes at the crash site to stop looters, exposing stark failures in government competence amid deadly chaos that claimed 22 lives.
Story Highlights
- A Bolivian Air Force C-130 cargo plane crashed on February 27, 2026, during a hailstorm at El Alto International Airport near La Paz, killing 22 including 21 civilians and scattering cash.
- Crowds looted the unissued Central Bank notes; police used tear gas and water hoses to disperse them, arresting over a dozen opportunists.
- Authorities burned the money on-site to prevent circulation, later demonetizing specific serial-numbered notes from the 2018 series.
- One crew member died, six were injured, and one was missing from the eight aboard; over 15 vehicles were destroyed on busy Costanera Avenue.
- Investigation underway by AAIB amid Bolivia’s history of aviation risks at high-altitude airports.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules departed Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra bound for El Alto International Airport serving La Paz, the world’s highest capital at 4,060 meters elevation.
During landing on February 27, 2026, heavy hailstorm conditions caused the plane to veer off the runway. It struck the perimeter fence and plowed into over 15 vehicles on adjacent Costanera Avenue, a busy highway during peak traffic hours.
Fire erupted but firefighters extinguished it quickly. The crash killed 22 people: 21 on the ground, including four children, and one crew member.
The death toll rose to 22 on Saturday from the crash of a military plane carrying 18 tons of new banknotes a day earlier near Bolivia’s capital, damaging about a dozen vehicles and scattering bills on the ground, a police commander said Saturday. https://t.co/5CMgdXscv1
— ABC News (@ABC) March 1, 2026
Injuries numbered 37 to 43, overwhelming local hospitals that launched blood drives. Crowds rushed the wreckage, looting scattered unissued banknotes from the Central Bank of Bolivia.
Police intervened with tear gas and water hoses, arresting more than 12 individuals. Authorities burned the notes at the scene to halt further chaos and prevent their entry into circulation, a decisive move underscoring the perils of lax security in unstable regions.
Government Response and Stakeholder Actions
Bolivian Air Force General Sergio Lora reported initial details: eight crew aboard, with two missing at first—later updated to one dead, six hospitalized, and one still missing. Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas confirmed the cargo as newly printed, unissued banknotes and announced a full investigation.
Central Bank of Bolivia suspended legal tender status for specific 2018-series 10, 20, and 50-boliviano notes ending in serial “B” from February 28 to March 2, 2026, publishing affected serial numbers to block any looted bills.
President Rodrigo Paz issued condolences via social media. Former President Jeanine Áñez and Bishop Giovani Arana expressed solidarity. Police Colonel Rene Tambo and Fire Chief Pavel Tovar coordinated response, confirming the rising death toll from initial 15-20 to 22.
La Paz Prosecutor’s Office under Luis Carlos Torres processed arrests. Airport operations halted temporarily, with traffic disrupted on Costanera Avenue where ambulances and police vehicles also suffered vandalism.
Investigation and Ongoing Impacts
The Aeronautical Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) held a February 28 press conference, securing wreckage in a guarded facility for analysis. Black box recovery efforts continue, with hailstorm and high-altitude thin air as suspected factors—no preliminary cause confirmed.
El Alto’s Andean location makes it prone to severe weather, amplifying risks for aging C-130 Hercules aircraft used for decades by Bolivia’s Air Force, including routine state cargo like this flight.
New Post: Death toll rises to 22 after cargo plane carrying money crashes near Bolivia capital https://t.co/zXkcIGF25d #world
— News 4 Social – Talk About Latest Trend (@newsforsocial) March 1, 2026
Short-term effects include hospital overload, legal pursuits of looted notes, and aviation scrutiny. Long-term implications involve potential C-130 fleet grounding, safety reviews at high-altitude sites, and eroded public trust in currency amid Bolivia’s economic instability.
Looting signals opportunism that hindered rescues, testing government crisis management. Victims’ families, El Alto residents, and motorists bear the brunt, with 15-plus vehicles destroyed.
Sources:
Death toll rises to 22 after cargo plane carrying money crashes near Bolivia capital
2026 Bolivian Air Force Lockheed C-130 crash
Bolivian cargo plane crash kills 22, sparks unrest as authorities burn scattered banknotes
