Sebastian Pinera, the two-time former president of Chile died on Tuesday in a helicopter accident, aged 74.

Chilean interior minister Carolina Toha confirmed the death of the former president on Tuesday evening.

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

Serving 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.

He also governed during the Covid-19 pandemic and placed Chile among the top five countries for Covid vaccination rates.

His legacy is marred by violent police repression in October 2019 against protesters who were demonstrating against the country’s education, health and pension systems.