Imagine the scene: a busy avenue on a Friday evening, suddenly engulfed by severe weather. Then, the unimaginable – a Bolivian Air Force Hercules aircraft, a military cargo plane, veers off course, skidding off the runway and crashing directly onto a bustling street in El Alto, Bolivia. The tragic incident, which occurred on February 28, 2026, claimed a devastating 20 lives, instantly turning an ordinary evening into a profound nightmare.
But amidst the horror, an extraordinary detail emerged, transforming the already grim scene into something truly unprecedented. This particular aircraft wasn’t carrying typical cargo; it was transporting a massive shipment of brand new banknotes from Bolivia’s central bank. The sheer force of the impact scattered bundles of cash across the avenue, creating a surreal and chaotic spectacle.
As news quickly spread, social media was flooded with astonishing footage. Instead of solely focusing on assistance, crowds swarmed the crash site, appearing to frantically pick up the money strewn across the ground. Authorities faced an unparalleled challenge, forced to use water hoses and even tear gas to disperse the throngs attempting to collect the currency. In a desperate bid to secure the national tender, military personnel were later seen taking drastic measures, burning banknotes that had fallen from the severely damaged wreckage.
The El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed as investigations commenced into the exact cause of the crash, which also heavily damaged several vehicles on the avenue. This bizarre and tragic event serves as a stark, unforgettable reminder of how quickly disaster can strike, leaving behind a complex aftermath of human loss and bewildering, wholly unexpected circumstances.
Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/bolivian-military-plane-crashes-in-el-alto-near-capital-la-paz
