A tragic accident occurred when a military cargo aircraft, a Hercules from the Bolivian Air Force, crashed while trying to land at El Alto International Airport, which is the second most populated city in Bolivia. The incident, reported by local residents through social media, resulted in at least 15 deaths and 15 injuries, along with significant damage to 15 vehicles on the ground that were struck by the falling aircraft.

Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft may have lost control upon landing due to icy conditions on the runway, attributed to a hailstorm that struck earlier in the day. Eyewitnesses shared videos and images of the wreckage, highlighting the severity of the impact and the scattered debris, including currency notes across the crash site. Official details are expected to be released by Bolivia’s Minister of Defense, Marcelo Salinas, who will address the media regarding the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.

This incident raises serious concerns about aviation safety and emergency response protocols in Bolivia, especially considering the challenging weather conditions that can affect operations at high-altitude airports like El Alto. As investigations continue, authorities will likely review regulations and measures to prevent such disasters in the future, highlighting the critical need for safety mechanisms in military aviation and the potential implications for air travel in the region.