In a country shocked by the fires that devastated large areas of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso, Chile woke up this Wednesday in mourning for the surprising death of the former Chilean president Sebastián Piñera, who died in a helicopter crash, and whose remains they started to be laid to rest today, Wednesday in the Hall of Honor of the former National Congress, in the Chilean capital.
After the arrival of the body in Santiago da Valdivia, around midday a private ceremony will take place in the former Congress in which participants will a small number of family and friends.
In the afternoon, the doors of what was the seat of the Legislature of Santiago will open – since this power currently functions in the city of Valparaíso – will be open to the general public can say goodbye to the former president.
The vigil will continue Thursday, and On Friday the body will be transferred to La Moneda and then to the Metropolitan Cathedralin the Plaza de Armas of the capital, for the celebration of tributes.
Chileans leave floral and symbolic offerings at the entrance of Piñera’s house in Las Condes in Santiago (Chile). Photo: EFEFinally, the response and burial will take place on Friday in the Parque del memoria cemetery in Huechuraba, the UChile newspaper published.
Piñera (2010-14 and 2018-22) died at the age of 74 in a helicopter crash in the municipality of Lago Ranco, in the south of the country.
The device, piloted by the former president, fell into a lake in the middle of bad weather AND Piñera sank in the water inside the helicopteras he was unable to unfasten his seat belt and eject himself, as three men traveling with him could have done.
Main protagonist of local politics of the last 20 years, Piñera it had lights and shadows during his two terms in office, and although the last massive memory of his time in Government was tinged with blood due ferocious repression he ordered in response to citizen protests in 2019, in what went down in history as the “social explosion” which also unleashed his popularity as a ruler, he managed to complete his mandate and handed over power to the current president, Gabriel Boric, in 2022.
State funeral
The state funeral will take place on Friday morning in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren announced on Wednesday.
“Once the mass is over, the body will be transferred to the Parque del memoria cemetery, but not before passing in front of La Moneda, where He will be paid homage by the palace guard and the president of the Republic, Gabriel Boric”, said the chancellor, who assured that he still has no confirmation on the international leaders who will participate in the ceremony.
December 18, 2017 image of Chile’s then president-elect, Sebastián Piñera. Photo: Xinhua/Jorge VillegasThe helicopter on which the president was travelling, together with three other people who managed to save themselves, crashed this Tuesday around 3.30pm, Argentine time, shortly after takeoff on Lake Ranco.tourist town located 780 kilometers south of Santiagowhere he spent the summers with his family.
The news caused great emotion in Chile, a country hit by devastating fires which caused over 100 deaths.
Numerous international leaders expressed their condolences at the death of the president, who governed Chile between 2010-2014 and 2018-22.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.