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Emergency crews and security forces carried out a large-scale operation following the air crash in El Alto. Photo: Samet Karakoç / Pexels.


Bolivia
BOLIVIA ------------------------------------2422NEWS STORY

Military Plane Carrying Cash Crashes in Bolivia; At Least 20 Dead

Plane Veers Off Runway in El Alto, Banknotes Scatter at Crash Site

The afternoon of February 27, 2026, was marked by tragedy in Bolivia when a military transport aircraft carrying banknotes for state financial operations lost control during landing at El Alto International Airport and veered off the runway into a nearby urban area. The crash left at least 20 people dead and more than 30 injured, according to preliminary reports from local authorities and international media.

The aircraft, used for logistical operations, had departed from Santa Cruz de la Sierra and was transporting a shipment of currency linked to the national financial system. Initial reports indicate that during touchdown the plane encountered circumstances that are still under investigation, preventing it from stopping within airport limits. The aircraft crossed onto a nearby roadway, striking vehicles and creating chaos during peak traffic hours.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as the plane advanced beyond the runway surrounded by smoke. Fragments of the fuselage were scattered across the avenue while emergency teams rushed to assist the injured and contain possible fires. The severity of the impact forced the temporary suspension of airport operations and activated emergency protocols in nearby hospitals.

One of the most unusual aspects of the crash was the dispersion of part of its cargo: packages of banknotes burst open upon impact. Authorities confirmed the money had not yet been officially issued and therefore held no legal value. However, the presence of cash on public streets caused temporary disorder, prompting police and military forces to secure the area and recover the material.

The Central Bank and financial institutions activated preventive mechanisms to prevent the banknotes from entering the formal economic circuit. Technical processes were also initiated to trace and ultimately destroy the compromised currency.

Meanwhile, the government announced a full investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Aviation experts will analyze the aircraft’s black boxes, its technical condition prior to departure, weather conditions at the time of landing, and the crew’s actions during the maneuver. Final conclusions may take weeks, but authorities have pledged transparency.

The tragedy has shocked the nation and reignited debate over protocols for transporting high-value cargo by air and the operational safety of airports located in densely populated urban areas. As investigations and rescue efforts continue, Bolivia faces the human and logistical consequences of one of its most severe aviation accidents in recent years.

By Heydi Bernal for Ruta Pantera on 3/2/2026 3:48:02 PM

×
References:
Associated Press. (2026, February 28). Death toll rises after cargo plane carrying money crashes near Bolivia’s capital. AP News.
Reuters. (2026, February 27). Bolivian military plane crash leaves multiple fatalities in El Alto. Reuters.
BBC News. (2026, February 28). Military aircraft transporting banknotes crashes in Bolivia. BBC News.
El Deber. (2026, February 28). Accidente aéreo en El Alto deja decenas de víctimas y activa investigación oficial. El Deber.
Página Siete. (2026, February 28). Autoridades investigan causas de siniestro aéreo en aeropuerto de El Alto. Página Siete.


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