A Bolivian military Hercules aircraft crashed on a busy roadway in El Alto on Friday evening, with adverse weather conditions reported at the time. The crash led to the tragic death of at least 15 individuals, with many others injured. The aircraft was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense to have been transporting a load of new banknotes intended for circulation within the country, highlighting the significant nature of this flight's mission.

Following the crash, videos circulated on social media depicting scenes of chaos as onlookers flocked to the site to gather the money that had been scattered across the pavement. In response to the overwhelming crowd, local authorities employed water cannons to disperse the throngs of people attempting to collect the cash, indicating both the desperation and the disarray at the crash scene. Efforts were made to manage the situation amid the tragic circumstances.

El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed following the incident, as per a statement from the Bolivian national airline, Boliviana de Aviación, which clarified that the downed aircraft was not part of its fleet. The incident raises significant questions about air traffic safety in Bolivia, particularly concerning military operations in adverse weather, and the implications of unforeseen events like this on both public order and the economy, given the nature of the cargo involved.