ASUNCIÓN – A plane carrying US$5 million (RM19.8 million) in cash reportedly crashed in Paraguay, leaving the pilot dead and several others injured, according to The Irish Sun.
The Cessna 402 aircraft, which was transporting money for security firm Prosegur, had departed from Ciudad del Este and was heading to Asunción when it went down shortly after take-off.
In the aftermath, local residents are believed to have collected some of the cash scattered around the crash site while the wreckage was still burning in Minga Guazú.
Investigators said approximately US$1.3 million (RM5.1 million) and R$4 million (RM3.1 million) are still missing and are suspected to have been taken by people who arrived at the scene soon after the crash.
Police estimate that about 50 individuals may have been involved in the theft.
Reports indicate the money was taken within roughly 15 minutes — in the window between the crash and the arrival of emergency responders.
The pilot, identified as Fernando Noldin, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his assistant and two passengers were injured.
Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the cause of the crash and to recover the missing cash. – AGENCIES