Bolivia Cargo Plane Crash Scatters New Currency, Sparks Chaotic Scramble
A military cargo plane carrying bundles of freshly printed Bolivian currency erupted into disaster moments after landing, scattering brand new banknotes across a highway and triggering scenes of chaos as crowds rushed toward the wreckage to grab the loose cash. The Hercules C-130 aircraft, transporting the newly minted money on behalf of the country's central bank, reportedly "landed and veered off the runway" at El Alto International Airport near the capital, La Paz.
Deadly Crash and Immediate Aftermath
Authorities confirmed that the death toll has climbed to 20 people, with more than a dozen others injured in the catastrophic crash. The aircraft overshot the runway and ploughed into a nearby highway before coming to a halt in a mangled heap of metal and debris. Disturbing footage circulating on social media shows bodies lying among twisted wreckage strewn across the roadway, highlighting the tragic human cost of the incident.
Chaotic Scramble for Scattered Banknotes
Alongside the devastation, videos captured large numbers of people swarming the crash scene in an attempt to collect banknotes that had burst from the aircraft during the impact. In several clips, security forces can be seen deploying water jets and tear gas in an effort to disperse the growing crowd of scavengers. According to official reports, more than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers were mobilised to secure the area and restore order amid the escalating disorder.
Emergency Response and Scene Containment
Emergency responders, members of the military, and forensic teams worked through the wreckage as authorities attempted to contain both the crash site and the chaos unfolding around it. Images from the scene show the Bolivian Air Force Lockheed C-130, identified as FAB-81, heavily damaged, with surrounding vehicles along the avenue also destroyed by the force of the impact. The scale of destruction was evident in television footage broadcast locally, showing the aircraft severely torn apart and multiple vehicles crushed along the roadway.
Currency Destruction and Official Statements
In a significant development, police and military officials later burned the cash boxes in the presence of Central Bank President David Espinoza. He stated that the bills "have no legal value because they never entered circulation," though he did not elaborate further on this explanation. Espinoza declined to disclose the total amount of money being transported but confirmed that the banknotes had arrived in Santa Cruz from abroad before being flown onward to their intended destination.
Operational Impacts and Investigations
Following the crash, El Alto International Airport was temporarily shut down, disrupting air travel in the region. National airline Boliviana de Aviacion said in a statement that the aircraft involved did not belong to its fleet, clarifying operational ownership. The incident has raised questions about transportation protocols for valuable cargo and emergency response measures in such high-stakes scenarios.
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, the event serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between aviation safety, currency logistics, and public order challenges in crisis situations.
