The military cargo plane was transporting newly printed currency intended for the country’s central bank when it crashed shortly before landing. According to officials, nearly 17 million banknotes were thrown into the air during the impact, spreading across nearby streets and neighborhoods. The central bank confirmed that the cash shipment totaled about 423 million bolivianos, equivalent to roughly 62 million US dollars.

As rescue teams searched for survivors, crowds gathered at the crash site and began collecting the scattered notes. Authorities reported that thousands of people entered the restricted zone despite police warnings, forcing security forces to deploy in large numbers. Government officials estimated that up to 20,000 people were present at the peak of the chaos, and at least 49 individuals were detained for disorderly conduct and theft.

The central bank stated that around 30 percent of the banknotes may have been taken from the crash site. In response, officials announced that all bills from the shipment have been identified by a specific serial series, allowing banks to track and confiscate them if they appear in circulation. Financial institutions have been instructed to retain any of the marked notes and report the holders to authorities.

Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in Latin America, has been facing high inflation and economic pressure in recent years. Prices rose sharply last year, increasing by about 25 percent before slowing to around 20 percent under the current administration, which has been attempting to stabilize public finances. The lost banknotes ranged in value from 10 to 50 bolivianos, though their real market value is often lower due to the widespread use of unofficial currency exchange rates.

Officials said the priority remains securing the crash area, preventing stolen currency from entering circulation, and completing the investigation into the cause of the accident.