Reports remain conflicted on Former Chile President’s helicopter crash

Tragic loss strikes Chile as former President Sebastián Piñera, a billionaire businessman, lost his life in a helicopter crash at the age of 74.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 6, when the helicopter carrying Piñera and three others plummeted into a lake in southern Chile.

Rescue efforts were swiftly initiated, but Piñera was pronounced dead upon the arrival of rescue personnel at the scene. However, the other three passengers managed to survive the crash.

While Reuters sources indicated that Sebastian Piñera was piloting the helicopter, official confirmation on this matter and the intended destination of the aircraft is yet to be provided by authorities.

In response to the tragic event, President Gabriel Boric declared three days of national mourning, with preparations underway for a state funeral scheduled for Friday in honor of the former leader.

Sebastián Piñera served two non-consecutive terms as president, from 2010 to 2014 and then from 2018 to 2022.

Interior Minister Carolina Toha confirmed the recovery of Piñera’s body from the lake near Lago Ranco and paid tribute to his dedication to public service amid ongoing efforts to combat deadly wildfires.

President Boric, Piñera’s leftist successor, offered heartfelt condolences, recalling Piñera’s vision of unity for Chile.

Other world leaders, including Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressed shock and sorrow over Piñera’s sudden demise, highlighting their positive interactions and collaborative efforts during their respective presidential terms.

Former Argentine President Mauricio Macri lamented Piñera’s passing as an “irreplaceable loss,” while Colombia’s ex-President Iván Duque mourned the loss of his friend with profound sadness.

In Chile, Piñera was celebrated as a successful businessman whose leadership coincided with rapid economic growth.

He gained international recognition for overseeing the remarkable rescue of 33 miners trapped beneath the Atacama desert in 2010, an event that captivated global attention and inspired the 2014 movie “The 33.”