By Gizem Nisa Demir
ISTANBUL (AA) - A military cargo plane carrying new Bolivian banknotes crashed near the capital Friday after skidding off a runway and plowing into a busy road in the neighboring city of El Alto, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 30, according to authorities.
The crash occurred at 6.20 pm local time (2220GMT) as the plane was landing at the El Alto International Airport, having departed from Santa Cruz, the nation's air traffic control authority reported.
The Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft had departed from the eastern city of Santa Cruz and veered off the runway before striking multiple vehicles on a crowded avenue, damaging a dozen cars before coming to rest in a nearby field, officials confirmed.
Fire Chief Pavel Tovar said emergency crews were still determining whether the fatalities occurred on board the aircraft or among motorists on the highway. Firefighters later extinguished flames caused by the impact.
The plane was transporting newly printed Bolivian banknotes, which scattered across the roadway during the crash, prompting chaotic scenes as residents rushed to collect the cash while police in riot gear attempted to disperse crowds. Authorities also used water hoses to push people from the debris area.
The Defense Ministry did not immediately release operational details.
The state air navigation authority NAABOL said the aircraft had flown from Santa Cruz, while officials continued to investigate whether the crash occurred during landing or takeoff.
