The impact left the roadway littered with aircraft wreckage, shattered vehicles, and casualties, with official reports confirming that 15 vehicles were involved in the accident. Although the aircraft was engulfed in flames upon impact, firefighters were eventually able to bring the blaze under control.
According to Defence Minister Marcelo Salinas, the incident took place when the Bolivian Air Force plane was carrying fresh banknotes from the capital of Santa Cruz to the interior of the nation.
It is unknown whether the victims who died were on the plane or in cars when the aircraft crashed, according to a report in News Sky. As of late Friday, the Bolivian Air Force reported that two of the six crew members on board had not been found.Chaotic scenes broke out as hundreds of onlookers rushed the wreckage to collect the scattered cash. Security forces, including over 500 soldiers and 100 police officers, used teargas and water hoses to disperse the crowds.
Central Bank President David Espinoza stated that the bills have no legal value as they have not yet entered circulation. He did not say how much money was being moved, but mentioned that the cash had arrived from abroad. Most of the recovered bills were subsequently burned at the site by authorities.
Authorities initially halted all flights to and from the terminal, but they have now resumed.
In a statement, the Bolivian Air Navigation and Airports Authority (NAABOL) announced that the C-130 left the eastern city of Santa Cruz and crashed while landing at the international airport in La Paz.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
