Total CEO Christophe de Margerie: Tributes Flood In After He Was Killed in Plane and Snow Plough Collision

Tributes have flooded in for Christophe de Margerie, the CEO of the French oil giant Total, who was killed in a plane accident when the driver of a snow plough reportedly collided with his jet.

"France is losing an extraordinary business leader who turned Total into a world giant. France is losing a great industry captain and a patriot," said French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in a statement.

French President Francois Hollande, who was a close personal friend of de Margerie, said he was "stunned and saddened" by the news.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences and praised de Margerie's "business skills and his commitment to the cause of promoting bilateral Russian-French relations".

Total shares have dropped over 2% on market open after the news.

The Paris Public Investigator has since opened an investigation into his death, after a collision "a plane crashed when it collided with a snow-clearing machine".

"Three crew members and a passenger died," an airport spokeswoman added.

Total said: "Total confirms with deep regret and great sadness that chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie died just after 1000 CET on 20 October 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."

Total is France's second-biggest listed company, with a market value of €102bn ($130bn, £80.8bn), and is the fourth-largest oil and gas company in the West behind Exxon, Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron. It is also one of the top foreign investors in Russia.

De Margerie, 63, joined the French oil group in 1974 after his graduation. He served in several positions at the firm before becoming CEO in February 2007.