Chilean ex-President Sebastián Piñera, a billionaire businessman who served two terms, has tragically died in a helicopter crash at the age of 74.
The incident occurred near the southern town of Lago Ranco, where Piñera was spending his holidays.
While it’s unclear whether he was the pilot, reports suggest he often flew his own helicopter in the area.
The crash took place around 15:30 local time on Tuesday, just minutes after takeoff, with the helicopter plunging into a lake.
Piñera was on board, but three other passengers, including his sister Magdalena, survived by jumping from the helicopter and reaching the shore safely.
Magdalena Piñera expressed grief, describing her brother as “a great man, a generous and courageous man.”
The Chilean navy later recovered Sebastián Piñera’s body from the wreckage. National mourning has been declared, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Piñera, who came to power in 2010 as the first conservative president after military rule, played a significant role in Chile’s economy, with notable achievements during his first term.
His international recognition includes overseeing the successful rescue of 33 miners trapped in the Atacama Desert in 2010.
While his first term was marked by economic growth, his second term (2018-2022) faced challenges, including violent social unrest and protests against inequality, met with harsh government repression.
Despite opposing political views, President Gabriel Boric, who succeeded Piñera, paid a warm tribute, emphasizing unity for Chile’s future.
Left-wing leaders across Latin America, including Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Argentina’s Mauricio Macri, expressed sorrow over Piñera’s “irreplaceable loss.”
Source-BBC
