A plane crash in El Alto, Bolivia, on Friday resulted in 15 deaths and 28 injuries, according to a preliminary report from the Bolivian Minister of Health, Marcela Flores. The Hércules C-130 transport aircraft went off the runway while landing and impacted multiple vehicles in a populated area near the Bolivia Bridge.
Minister Flores urged citizens to donate blood to support the injured, stating, “We ask that you come to donate blood so that patients can be treated promptly, all of this is covered by the SUS [Unified Health System] and by the Ministry of Health.”
The injured are receiving treatment at several hospitals in El Alto and La Paz, including Hospital del Norte, Hospital del Sur, Hospital Corea, Hospital Corazón de Jesús, and COSSMIL. Eight patients are being treated at Hospital Corea, while ten are at Hospital del Norte. Hospital Corazón de Jesús is treating one patient, and COSSMIL has three.
Among those injured, one child suffered the amputation of both legs, according to Minister Flores. The child, whose identity remains unknown, is currently hospitalized in critical condition at Hospital del Norte.
The list of injured includes Lourdes Lazo Murga (policontusa), Adela Murga Quispe (moderate traumatic brain injury and wrist fracture), Pedro Luis Gutiérrez (policontuso), Benedicto Mamani Flores (policontuso), Valeria Flores Flores (policontusa), Anahí Gabriela Mamani (policontusa), Ericka Zulcata Condori (policontusa), Alejandro Chávez Paniagua (minor traumatic brain injury), César Castro Nacho (policontuso), Yaret Espinoza (policontuso), and Lourdes Quispe Quispe (policontusa). Karen Jessica Jiménez Calisaya is being treated for severe traumatic brain injury and has been transferred to the Hospital de Clínicas in La Paz. Other patients include Roger Vásquez, Marcela Gutiérrez Álvarez, René Quispe Carcani, and Mercedes (last name not recorded).
One patient arrived at Hospital Corea already deceased, wearing a military uniform, and was transferred to the Judicial Morgue. Authorities are still verifying the total number of vehicles impacted during the incident.
The Ministry of Health has announced that all medical expenses for those affected will be covered by the SUS.
