At least 20 people have died and dozens more have been injured following the crash of a military cargo plane in Bolivia. Meanwhile, in Bangkok, police have successfully arrested a suspected thief using an unconventional disguise during a lunar new year festival.

Bolivia Plane Crash Details
On Friday, a C-130 Hercules transport plane crashed while landing at El Alto international airport near La Paz, Bolivia. The aircraft was transporting new banknotes from the central bank to other cities when it skidded off the runway and veered onto a highway, damaging several vehicles and scattering cash across the ground. Local media captured footage of people rushing to collect the banknotes while police attempted to disperse the crowd with tear gas. The Bolivian Ministry of Defence later stated that the money had no official serial number, rendering it illegal to collect or possess.

Witnesses reported treacherous weather conditions at the time of the crash, with lightning and heavy hail. Cristina Choque, a local vendor whose car was hit by debris, described the chaos as she and her family sought refuge in their vehicle. The Bolivian health ministry reported at least 28 injuries from the incident, and authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Two crew members from the plane remain unaccounted for.

Bangkok Police Undercover Operation
In a separate incident, Bangkok police executed an undercover operation to apprehend a suspected thief during a temple fair celebrating the lunar new year. Officers disguised themselves as performers in a lion dance, with one officer accidentally wearing a colleague's mask, which added an element of spontaneity to the operation. The disguise proved effective, allowing them to surprise the suspect and arrest him before he could flee.

Captain Lertvarit Lertvorapreecha, who led the operation, emphasized the importance of blending into crowds to catch suspects off guard. The arrested individual is accused of stealing valuable Buddhist artefacts. This operation is part of a broader trend in Bangkok, where police have employed various disguises, including foliage and construction worker outfits, to apprehend criminals.

Wrap-up
The tragic plane crash in Bolivia has raised concerns over aviation safety and the handling of military logistics, while Bangkok's innovative policing tactics highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in urban environments. Both incidents reveal the complexities of public safety and the lengths to which authorities will go to protect their communities.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team