Cargo plane crashes shortly after takeoff in Bolivia’s capital, killing at least 15, official says
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — A cargo plane carrying money crashed moments after takeoff Friday near Bolivia’s capital, damaging about a dozen vehicles on a highway, scattering bills on the ground and leaving at least 15 people dead, an official said.
Fire Chief Pavel Tovar did not clarify if the dead were in the plane or in the cars on the highway near the airport in La Paz. He said there were people injured.
The aircraft skidded off the runway shortly after takeoff, striking vehicles in the city of El Alto, which is adjacent to La Paz, before coming to rest in a field, according to images circulating on social media.
Debris from the aircraft, destroyed cars, and bodies littered the road. According to Tovar, at least 15 vehicles were involved. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames engulfing the aircraft.
The plane, a Hercules aircraft belonging to the Bolivian air force, was transporting new banknotes from the Central Bank to other cities and a large number of bills scattered on the ground at the crash site.
Images circulating on social media showed people rushing to collect the bills while police in riot gear tried to disperse them
Authorities temporarily suspended all flights to and from the terminal.