The chief executive of French oil major Total, Christophe de Margerie,
was killed when his private jet collided with a snow plough as it was
taking off from Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Monday night.
De
Margerie's death leaves a void at the top of one of the world's biggest
listed oil firms at a difficult time for the industry as oil prices fall
and state-backed competitors keep them out of some of the best oil
exploration territory.
The collision occurred minutes before midnight Moscow time as de Margerie's Dassault Falcon jet was taking off for Paris.
Russia's
Investigative Committee said the driver of the snow plough had been
drunk and that a criminal investigation had been launched. The plane's
three crew also died, said Total. The airport said visibility was 350
metres (1,150 feet) at the time of the crash.
Vnukovo is Moscow's
oldest and third biggest airport. Located southwest of the capital, it
is used by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other government
officials.
De Margerie, 63, had attended a Russian government meeting on foreign investment in Gorki near Moscow on Monday.
With
his distinctive bushy moustache and outspoken manner, he was one of the
most recognisable of the world's top oil executives. Total is France's
second-biggest listed company, with a market value of 102 billion euros.
"France
is losing an extraordinary business leader who turned Total into a
world giant," French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in a statement.
"France is losing a great industry captain and a patriot."
De
Margerie was also a personal friend of French President Francois
Hollande, who said he was "stunned and saddened" by the news. Accolades
poured in from other French business leaders.