Cargo Plane Carrying New Bolivian Currency Crashes, Scattering Cash on Highway
A cargo plane loaded with freshly printed Bolivian currency crashed moments after landing at an airport near the capital city of La Paz, resulting in a tragic loss of life and chaotic scenes as people rushed to scavenge scattered banknotes. The Hercules C-130 aircraft, which was transporting the newly minted money from the country's central bank, landed and then veered off the runway, ultimately coming to a halt on a nearby highway.
Rising Death Toll and Chaotic Aftermath
Police have confirmed that the death toll has now risen to 20 individuals, with more than a dozen others sustaining injuries in the devastating incident. Footage shared extensively on social media platforms depicted bodies among the debris strewn across the highway where the plane finally stopped. The visual evidence also captured scores of people flocking to the crash site in a desperate attempt to gather the money that had billowed out upon impact.
Some clips from the scene show authorities resorting to firing water cannons and tear gas in an effort to disperse the mob of scavengers who were attempting to cram their pockets with the scattered banknotes. According to official reports, more than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers were drafted in to manage the chaotic situation and secure the area.
Central Bank Response and Currency Status
In a significant development, police and military personnel proceeded to burn the cash boxes in the presence of Central Bank President David Espinoza. Espinoza stated that the banknotes have no legal value because they never entered circulation, although he did not provide further clarification on what that precisely meant for the destroyed currency.
Espinoza did not specify the exact amount of money being transported during the ill-fated flight, but he did confirm that the banknotes had arrived in Santa Cruz from abroad prior to the crash. The El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed following the accident, as announced by the national airline Boliviana de Aviacion in an official statement. The airline also clarified that the aircraft involved in the crash did not belong to its fleet.
Extensive Damage and Ongoing Investigation
Video broadcast on local media outlets showed the aircraft was severely damaged in the crash, with a number of vehicles along the avenue where the incident took place also suffering significant harm. The crash has sparked a major investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the cause of the plane veering off the runway and the subsequent chaos that ensued.
The incident highlights the dangers associated with transporting valuable cargo and the unpredictable nature of aviation accidents. As authorities continue to assess the damage and investigate the crash, the focus remains on providing support to the victims' families and ensuring such tragedies are prevented in the future.
