BREAKING! Former president of Chile dies in helicopter accident

Former president of Chile, Sebastián Piñera dies in helicopter accident. 

The 74  two-time former president of Chile, dies on Tuesday after accident.

Chile Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed the death of the former president.

No further details were immediately released about the cause of the accident.

Piñera was among four passengers in the aircraft, and the others are “out of danger,” Tohá said in televised remarks Tuesday afternoon.

“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,” Tohá said, adding that Chilean President Gabriel Boric has ordered a state funeral and called for a few days of national mourning.

Chilean media Tuesday afternoon shared a statement published by Piñera’s office confirming his death.

“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.”

Piñera served as president from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022. He led the South American nation during devastating natural disasters, including the fallout of an earthquake and a tsunami.