The boss of French energy giant Total has died in Moscow after his private jet hit a snow plough at Vnukovo airport.
Total’s CEO Christophe de Margerie (pictured) was killed along with three crew members in the collision which happened as the Falcon 50 jet was taking off from the airport last night.
There have been reports that the snow plough driver was drunk when the incident happened and a criminal investigation has been launched by Russian authorities.
A spokeswoman for Moscow’s transport authority said: “A Falcon plane was leaving Moscow for Paris. During take-off, it collided with the airport’s snow removal machine."
Total said in a statement: “Total confirms with deep regret and great sadness that chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie died just after 22.00 (Paris time) on October 20 in a private plane crash at Vnukovo airport in Moscow, following a collision with a snow removal machine.
“The thoughts of the management and employees of the group go out to Christophe de Margerie’s wife, children and loved ones as well as to the families of the three other victims.”
De Margerie had been visiting Moscow to attend a meeting on foreign investment held by the Russian government.