It has now been confirmed that Malawi’s Vice-President, Saulos Chilima, was among ten people killed when a small military plane crashed in a mountainous region in the north of the country. President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the news in a live televised address on Tuesday, expressing deep sorrow and condolences to the nation.
The ill-fated aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers on Monday after the pilot was instructed to return to the capital, Lilongwe, due to deteriorating weather conditions. Despite efforts to maintain communication, the plane ultimately vanished from radar, leading to a frantic search and rescue operation.
“I’m deeply saddened, I’m sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy. The search and rescue team has found the aircraft near a hill. They have found it completely destroyed with no survivors,” President Chakwera said, conveying the gravity of the situation.
In his address, President Chakwera praised the late Vice-President, highlighting his contributions and dedication to the country. “Dr. Saulos Chilima was a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction, and a formidable vice-president,” he said. Chakwera emphasized that Chilima’s passing is a “terrible loss” to his family and the entire nation.
The president confirmed that all ten individuals on board, including seven passengers and three crew members, were killed on impact. The group had been en route to the northern city of Mzuzu to attend the funeral of a former government minister. Among the deceased was former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri.
The military has been tasked with recovering the remains of the victims and bringing them back to the capital. The wreckage was found near a hill, with the aircraft completely destroyed, indicating the severity of the crash.
Saulos Chilima, 51, was in his second term as Vice-President and was widely regarded as a potential candidate for next year’s presidential election. His career had recently been clouded by allegations of graft, but the charges against him were dropped last month, and he had maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal.
President Chakwera reassured the public that funeral arrangements would be announced in due course, allowing the nation to pay their final respects to a leader who had made significant contributions to Malawi’s political landscape.
Source: AfricaNews