A private jet carrying candidate Eduardo Campos, who was running third in polls ahead of Brazil’s October’s presidential election, crashed today in the city of Santos, throwing the country’s election into disarray and knocking local financial markets lower.
The plane, a Cessna 560XL, lost contact with air traffic control as it was preparing to land, according to an Air Force statement. Television images showed smoke billowing from the crash site in a residential area of Santos.
Media reports confirmed the 49-year-old politician died in the crash.
Campos is a former governor of northeastern Pernambuco state who had the support of about 10 percent of voters in recent polls. He had positioned himself as a business-friendly leftist and was a former ally of President Dilma Rousseff, who is seeking a second term.
Campos’ running mate, Marina Silva, was not on board the plane and was heading to the crash site.
Brazil’s main stock index lost as much as 2 percent following initial reports that Campos was on the crashed plane, but later pared losses to just over 1 percent. The currency also lost ground.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald