Bolivia: At least 15 people lost their lives on Friday after a military cargo aircraft transporting freshly printed currency went down near Bolivia’s capital, leaving a trail of wreckage and scattered banknotes across a busy roadway.
The aircraft, identified as a Hercules plane operated by the Bolivian Air Force, crashed in El Alto, a high-altitude city bordering La Paz. The impact damaged multiple vehicles travelling along a highway close to the airport before the aircraft came to rest in an open field.
Fire Chief Pavel Tovar confirmed the fatalities but did not immediately specify whether the victims were aboard the aircraft or among motorists caught in the crash. He added that several others sustained injuries and were taken for medical treatment.
According to preliminary information, at least 15 vehicles were affected when the plane struck the roadway. Emergency crews worked swiftly to extinguish flames that engulfed the aircraft following the collision. Images from the scene showed charred cars, twisted metal and debris strewn across the area.
The aircraft had been tasked with transporting newly issued banknotes from Bolivia’s Central Bank to various cities across the country. Following the crash, large quantities of currency were seen scattered across the crash site, prompting crowds to gather. Videos circulating online showed individuals attempting to pick up the loose bills as police officers in riot gear moved in to control the situation.
Officials have not yet clarified whether the plane was attempting to land or had just taken off when the incident occurred. Aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
As a precaution, flights to and from the nearby airport were temporarily suspended while emergency operations and debris clearance continued.
