15 People Killed After Cargo Plane Carrying Currency Crashes

A routine military transport mission turned into a fiery disaster in Bolivia on Friday when a cargo plane carrying freshly printed cash crashed just moments after takeoff, killing at least 15 people.

The Bolivian air force aircraft, a Hercules C-130, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport on Feb. 27 while transporting newly printed Bolivian currency to nearby La Paz. According to officials, the massive plane careened onto a nearby highway before slamming into a field and bursting into flames.

The crash left a trail of destruction across the roadway, destroying at least 15 vehicles as debris scattered in every direction.

Firefighters battled the blaze and eventually extinguished the flames, but the devastation was already clear. Fifteen people were confirmed dead, though authorities have not yet said whether the victims were on board the aircraft or traveling on the highway when the plane plowed through.

The identities of those killed have not been released. Officials also have not confirmed whether any of the six crew members were among the dead. Reports indicate that two crew members remain unaccounted for.

As if the scene wasn’t chaotic enough, rescue efforts were reportedly slowed by crowds gathering on the highway to collect loose bills that had spilled from the aircraft during the crash. Fire Chief Pavel Tovar said authorities struggled to secure the area as people attempted to grab the scattered cash.

More than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers were deployed to regain control and clear the scene.

Bolivia’s central bank later clarified that the money scattered across the highway had no legal value because it had not yet entered circulation. In an effort to prevent further chaos, authorities reportedly burned the damaged cash boxes at the site.

All flights in and out of the airport were temporarily suspended following the crash. Investigators are now working to determine what caused the aircraft to veer off the runway in the first place.