El Alto [Bolivia], February 28 (ANI): A Bolivian military plane crashed in El Alto, near La Paz, into a busy urban area on Friday evening, killing 15 people and injuring at least 30 others, according to China Daily.
According to a UK-based news agency, the plane was carrying newly printed banknotes from the country’s central bank when it crashed onto a busy avenue amid inclement weather. The aircraft was traveling from Santa Cruz to La Paz’s El Alto International Airport.
The plane was transporting currency to the interior of the country, Unitel reported, citing the Bolivian Ministry of Defense.
China Daily reported that the military aircraft crashed in the western city of El Alto. Bolivia’s national airline, Boliviana de Aviación, announced the temporary closure of El Alto International Airport following the crash.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, and emergency services rushed to the scene. Videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes, with people picking up scattered banknotes, prompting authorities to use water hoses to disperse the crowd.
The large transport plane struck approximately a dozen vehicles on a highway before coming to rest in a nearby field.
Social media footage showed residents rushing to the crash site to collect the scattered money. Security forces reportedly used water hoses and tear gas to disperse the crowds and secure the area.
The Central Bank of Bolivia later issued a statement declaring that the specific notes involved were not legal tender and held no purchasing power, as they were intended for replacement or distribution and had not been officially activated.
The Bolivian Ministry of Defense has launched a formal investigation to determine whether the crash was caused by mechanical failure or severe weather conditions at the time.
No official statement detailing the cause of the crash has yet been released. This is a developing story. (ANI)
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