Sebastián Piñera, the former leader of Chile, passed away in a helicopter crash at the age of 74. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, but the exact cause of the accident remains unclear.
Carolina Tohá, the Interior Minister of Chile, confirmed Piñera’s death, expressing that he was one of four passengers on the helicopter, while the others escaped without harm.
His statement reads;
“A few moments ago we received confirmation from police that the navy was able to reach the place where the accident happened and they recovered the corpse of former president Piñera, who died.”
“During the afternoon of this Tuesday, February 6, 2024, the former president suffered an aerial crash in the Los Ríos Region,” the statement said, adding, “We appreciate the massive expressions of affection and concern that we have received during these bitter hours.”
President Gabriel Boric has declared a state funeral and several days of national mourning in honor of Piñera. He also delivered an address in which he said he was in touch with former presidents Eduardo Frei, Ricardo Lagos and Michele Bachelet, all of whom “will do everything possible to participate in his funeral.”
“We are all Chile, and we should dream it, draw it and build it together,” Boric said, quoting Piñera. “We send a big hug to his family and loved ones in these hard times.”
Piñera, who served as president twice from 2010 to 2014 and then from 2018 to 2022, faced numerous challenges during his tenure, including natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite his efforts, his leadership was also marked by controversy, notably the violent clashes between police and protesters in 2019, stemming from grievances over social and economic inequality.
Piñera was also a successful businessman, amassing a significant fortune before entering politics. He was involved in various industries, including real estate, telecommunications, and finance.
Piñera’s passing has drawn condolences from leaders across Latin America, with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentinian President Javier Milei among those expressing their sadness over the sudden loss.
