LA PAZ, Bolivia, Feb 28, 2026 — At least 15 people have been killed after a Bolivian military plane carrying banknotes crashed near the city of La Paz, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
The ill-fated aircraft — reportedly tasked with transporting a shipment of currency — went down near a populated area on the outskirts of the city, causing the wreckage to scatter across roads and nearby fields. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media showed bystanders rushing toward the crash scene to grab bundles of banknotes from the ground before emergency crews could secure the area.
Rescuers and police were quickly deployed to the site, where firefighters and medical teams worked to extinguish fires and attend to survivors. Among the casualties were members of the military crew and others presumed to have been on board. The exact number of injured remains unclear as officials continue to treat the wounded at local hospitals.
In an initial public statement, Bolivia’s Ministry of Defence said that military authorities were coordinating with civil aviation investigators to determine the cause of the crash, including whether mechanical failure, weather conditions, or other factors played a role. A full inquiry has been launched, with aviation experts expected to examine the plane’s flight recorders and maintenance history as part of the investigation.
Local media confirmed that many residents in the crash vicinity were drawn by the sight of currency strewn across public roads, prompting some to pick up the notes — a scene that has since drawn global attention and renewed discussions about public safety, chaos in emergencies, and ethical behaviour in disaster zones.
Authorities have since urged civilians to stay away from the crash site for their own safety, warning that wreckage can contain sharp metal and hazardous materials, and that rescuers need unhindered access to perform life-saving work.
President Luis Arce expressed condolences to the families of those killed and ordered full support for emergency response operations. “This is a terrible tragedy,” he said. “Our priority must be to care for those who have been injured and to ensure that justice and accountability are served through a full investigation of this accident.”
Aerial footage showed debris spread across a wide area, with investigators combing through wreckage to locate flight data and voice recorders, and collect evidence that may shed light on what sequence of events led to the crash.
The Bolivian Air Force has not yet released specific details about the aircraft type, flight plan or cargo manifest, other than confirming that banknotes were among the cargo being transported.
Meanwhile, videos from the crash site have sparked criticism on social media over footage of civilians picking up money amid the tragedy, with commentators calling for responsible behaviour and respect for victims and emergency workers.
