At least 15 people killed in military plane crash in Bolivia

SadaNews - At least 15 people were killed on Friday - Saturday in a military plane crash near La Paz airport, according to the fire department, after the plane collided with vehicles upon leaving the runway, according to images broadcast by local media.

The Bolivian Civil Aviation and Airports Authority announced in a statement that "a C-130 military transport aircraft belonging to the Bolivian Air Force coming from Santa Cruz (east) caused an incident at El Alto International Airport, leading to a suspension of operations there."

Colonel Pavel Tovar told reporters at the incident site, "I count between 15 and 16 people (dead)." He added, "We are retrieving the bodies of those individuals who unfortunately suffered in the incident."

A spokesman for the fire department confirmed to the state television station in "Bolivia" that, "six people died at the airport and five others in a nearby location."

Fatalities were reported both at the airport and on the busy street where the plane crashed and collided with vehicles.

The plane was carrying cash documents, which led many locals to gather to try and grab some money, but the police used tear gas to disperse them, as shown in images broadcast by television.

The Ministry of Defense stated in a statement that "the money carried by the crashed plane does not bear any official number or serial number, and thus is devoid of any legal value or purchasing power. Collecting, possessing, or using it constitutes a crime."