A military cargo plane crashed near La Paz, Bolivia, resulting in the deaths of between 15 and 20 individuals, with reports of a crowd attempting to seize scattered cash despite it being declared worthless.
In a tragic incident, a Bolivian military cargo plane, the Hercules C-130, crashed just outside La Paz, killing between 15 to 20 people according to local media estimates. The crash occurred late Friday night after the aircraft landed at El Alto, skidding off the runway and colliding with several vehicles on the ground. As emergency services responded, it was reported that the plane continued its trajectory for about a kilometer after the initial landing failure, leading to chaos at the site.
The aftermath of the crash saw a large crowd rush to the scene to collect banknotes that were scattered across the area. However, these banknotes were revealed to be worthless by David Espinoza, the head of Bolivia’s central bank. This revelation has added another layer to the tragedy, as many assumed they could benefit from the money that was lost during the crash. The exact number of fatalities and injuries has yet to be confirmed by authorities, but local reports suggest there are numerous injured individuals receiving medical attention at local hospitals.
This incident highlights not only the risks associated with military aviation but also the immediate human response to disaster and the misconceptions surrounding perceived valuables in crisis situations. The Bolivian government will need to address the aftermath of both the crash and the public's reaction, which demonstrates a mixture of desperation and misunderstanding in the face of tragedy.
