At least 15 killed after cargo plane carrying banknotes crashes near Bolivia's capital

The plane, a Hercules aircraft belonging to the Bolivian air force, was transporting new banknotes from the Central Bank to other cities. (Courtesy: X)

A cargo plane carrying new banknotes crashed near Bolivian capital, leaving at least 15 people dead, an official said. The plane ploughed into a highway, damaging around a dozen vehicles and sending banknotes flying across the area.

There is no clarity on whether the dead were in the plane or in the cars on the highway near the airport in La Paz, Fire Chief Pavel Tovar told Associated Press. He said that several people sustained injuries too.

The plane hit several vehicles in El Alto, a city adjacent to La Paz, before finally crashing into a nearby field, footage shared on social media showed. There were conflicting reports of whether the plane was taking off or landing when it crashed.

Wreckage from the plane, damaged vehicles and victims' bodies lay scattered along the highway in the aftermath of the crash.

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 carrying newly printed currency from the Central Bank to other cities when it went down, leaving large quantities of banknotes scattered across the crash site.

As per footage shared on social media, people scrambled to pick up the banknotes as police in riot gear attempted to push them back and restore order.

Authorities have temporarily suspended all flights to and from the terminal.