A Bolivian military Hercules C-130, arriving from Santa Cruz, met with disaster on Friday, February 27, 2026. Attempting to land at El Alto International Airport during a violent hailstorm, the aircraft veered off course, plowing through a highway and striking 15 vehicles before breaking apart.

The Toll

• Casualties: At least 15 confirmed dead and 30+ injured. Search teams are still looking for two missing crew members.
• The Scene: The fuselage split on impact, spilling its cargo—millions in newly printed banknotes—across the highway.

Chaos and “Worthless” Cash

The crash site turned into a scene of absolute pandemonium as bystanders attempted to loot the scattered money.

• Military Intervention: Security forces used tear gas and water cannons to push back the crowds.
• The Catch: The Central Bank confirmed the notes have no legal value, as they hadn’t entered circulation or received serial numbers.
• The Burn: In a drastic move to end the looting, soldiers burned the remaining cash crates in a massive bonfire on the airfield.

What’s Next?

Investigators are currently analyzing the flight recorders to determine if the crash was caused by the severe weather or a mechanical failure. While airport operations are resuming, the highway remains a recovery zone.

Tax Assistant

Suresh holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree and is a dedicated personal finance researcher and writer. Combining his advanced academic background in commerce with deep industry research, he covers complex topics like taxation, banking systems, credit analysis, and personal finance strategies. As the founder of Tax Assistant (taxassistant.org), Suresh is committed to translating complicated financial guidelines and economic data into simple, accurate, and actionable educational resources for everyday readers.