A helicopter carrying four people including former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera crashed in the Los Ríos region killing the erstwhile leader of the country, according to Minister of Interior Carolina Tohá Tuesday.
Three people aboard the billionaire survived the crash and were in stable condition, the Chilean minister said. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, however, reports indicate that there was heavy rainfall in the area.
Chilean Navy also confirmed the dead body of the former 74-year-old leader as it was recovered.
Sebastian Pinera served in the presidential office from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced three days of national mourning upon his death and a state funeral is to be arranged for the late leader.
Chile was already seeing days of national mourning as the wildfire in the coastal state killed over 120 people.
Tohá’s said in a statement: “Chile’s government “expresses its shock due to this tragedy, extends its hug in solidarity to the former president’s family, to those close to him, but also to all Chileans.”
