News out a little earlier that the CEO of Total oil company, Christophe de Margerie, has tragically died in a plane crash as his private jet was trying to take off at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport.
Airport spokeswoman Elena Krylova said:
Tonight, a plane crashed when it collided with a snow-clearing machine. Three crew members and a passenger died. I can confirm that the passenger was Total’s head de Margerie
Latest news from the investigating committee says the snow plough driver was heavily under the influence of alcohol, making the event even more tragic.
The Total CEO was highly regarded within the oil industry. At the company, where he had spent his entire career, he was nicknamed “Big Moustache”
Total’s de Margerie – a tragic accident at Moscow airport
During his time at the helm of Total Mr Margerie successfully defended the company against allegations of corruption around the UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq and maintained the company’s investments in Burma and Iran despite US sanctions against those countries. This year he argued Europe should maintain its energy relationship with Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine.
The BBC has more here
