Military plane in Bolivia sweeps cars off the road, at least 15 dead
A Bolivian C-130 Hercules military plane crashed onto a road, resulting in at least 15 deaths and over 30 injuries as it collided with several vehicles.
On Friday, a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Bolivian Air Force was making its way from Santa Cruz to a military airport in El Alto, near the capital La Paz. At around 6:20 PM local time, the plane landed but veered off the runway, careening onto a road where it struck multiple vehicles before finally coming to a stop in a field. The chaotic aftermath of the incident resulted in at least 15 fatalities and over 30 individuals injured, with ten of them requiring hospitalization. Authorities have yet to confirm the number of passengers aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.
The Bolivian Ministry of Defense indicated that the aircraft was transporting new banknotes, which added to the disorder following the accident. As the situation unfolded, bystanders began to collect the banknotes that were scattered on the ground, complicating the efforts of emergency responders. Police faced challenges in reaching the crash site due to traffic congestion caused by the incident, which hindered the immediate response to the crisis.
This tragic event raises serious questions about aviation safety and operational protocols within Bolivia's military air transport operations. With the loss of life and numerous injuries, the incident is likely to prompt investigations into the circumstances leading up to the crash and calls for improved safety measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The impact on the local community will also be significant, as families mourn their loved ones and seek answers regarding the crash's cause.