Bureau, 28 February 2026: At least 15 people were killed and 30 others injured after a Hercules C-130 aircraft carrying newly printed banknotes crashed in Bolivia on Friday morning. The tragic incident occurred near El Alto city, sending shockwaves across the country.
According to reports, the aircraft had taken off from El Alto International Airport and was transporting freshly printed currency notes to internal regions of the country. Shortly after takeoff, the plane reportedly lost control, possibly due to bad weather or a mechanical failure, before crashing onto a major roadway.
Eyewitnesses said the aircraft caught fire mid-air before plunging to the ground. Upon impact, it collided with several vehicles on the road, leaving multiple cars completely destroyed. Firefighters rushed to the scene and made strenuous efforts to douse the flames as rescue operations continued.
The crash created chaotic scenes as bundles of newly printed banknotes were scattered across the crash site. Videos circulating on social media show hundreds of people rushing toward the wreckage — not to assist in rescue efforts, but to collect the scattered currency. Authorities were forced to intervene, and police reportedly used water cannons to disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation.
The Central Bank of Bolivia confirmed that the aircraft was transporting newly printed currency intended for domestic circulation. Officials have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Emergency teams remain at the site as rescue and recovery operations continue. The incident has raised serious concerns over aviation safety and crowd management during emergencies.
