A Bolivian Air Force C-130 transport plane, carrying banknotes from the eastern city of Santa Cruz, crashed on the 27th near the administrative capital La Paz, impacting more than 10 vehicles on the ground. The accident resulted in 15 deaths and multiple injuries. Despite the casualties, crowds rushed to the crash site to snatch up the cash.
According to the Associated Press, Bolivian Defense Minister Salinas stated that the transport plane was carrying newly printed national currency and deviated from the runway during its approach to El Alto International Airport near La Paz, then crashed.
Bolivia's central bank chief Espinoza confirmed that the military transport plane was carrying cash, but did not disclose the amount. The fire department revealed that at least 15 people died at the scene, but it remains unclear how many of the victims were on board or on the ground.
Videos circulating on social media show wreckage of the military plane and cars scattered everywhere, with bodies lying across the area. Still, people flooded into the crash site to grab the banknotes, prompting the Bolivian government to quickly deploy riot police to disperse the crowd.