Chile bids final farewell to former President Sebastian Pinera

The coffin containing the body of Chile's former President Sebastian Pinera leaves the former National Congress building for his funeral in Santiago, Chile February 9, 2024. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A state funeral for two-time President Sebastian Pinera began at the country's former Congress in Santiago on Friday to bid a final farewell to the former leader.

Pinera, 74, died on Tuesday after the helicopter he was piloting crashed into a lake in southern Chile. State funeral services began on Wednesday in the capital with a private viewing before opening up to the public.