International Desk: The former president of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, was killed in a helicopter crash. He served as the country’s president for two terms. The BBC reported this information in a report on Wednesday (February 7).
According to reports, the former president of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, died in a helicopter crash at the age of 74. The helicopter crashed into a lake near the southern town of Lago Ranco. However, three other passengers survived the accident.
According to the BBC, Piñera flew his own helicopter. However, there is no official confirmation that he was in the pilot’s seat at the time of the accident. The accident and loss of life have led to national mourning and tributes across Latin American political platforms.
Sebastián Piñera, a conservative politician, served a first term as President of Chile from 2010 to 2014. He was credited for the rapid economic growth of the country.
And abroad, he is perhaps best known for overseeing the rescue of 33 miners trapped under the Atacama Desert in 2010 for 69 days. At that time, this event practically gripped the world.
But Pinera’s second term was from 2018 to last year. During his second term, the South American country was hit by violent social unrest.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of the former president of the Republic of Chile,” Piñera’s office said in a statement. However, three other passengers on board the helicopter survived.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in a post on social media (formerly Twitter) that he was “shocked and saddened” by Piñera’s death.
Meanwhile, Chile’s president and Piñera’s leftist successor, Gabriel Boric, paid warm tributes to Piñera, announcing three days of mourning and a state funeral.
“We are all Chileans, and this is what we should dream about,” he said. Draw that dream in mind and realize it together. This is what Sebastian Piñera said when he took office for a second term as president on March 11, 2018. We are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.’
