Malawi vice president Saulos Chilima killed in plane crash.
Tragic news emerged today as Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, and nine other passengers lost their lives in a devastating plane crash. President Lazarus Chakwera shared this heartbreaking information with the nation.
The aircraft mysteriously disappeared when it failed to touch down at the Mzuzu International Airport, located approximately 380 km (240 miles) north of the capital, Lilongwe. Chakwera amusingly revealed on Tuesday that the wreckage of the plane has been located.
“The search and rescue operation I ordered to find the missing plane that carried our vice president and nine others has been completed. The plane has been found. And I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy,” Chakwera said. The Malawian leader disclosed that the aircraft was found “completely destroyed” in the Chikangawa Forest, adding that “words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is.”
BREAKING: The wreck of a plane carrying Malawi’s vice-president has been found with no survivors, President Lazarus Chakwera has said.
The plane carrying Saulos Chilima and nine others disappeared from airport radars on Monday morning.
Read more: https://t.co/nc8wfbnfPq pic.twitter.com/4L0dUdBXSQ
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) June 11, 2024
With a heavy heart, Mr. Chakwera expressed his profound sadness and sincere apologies as he delivered the devastating news to the people of Malawi.According to him, the rescue team discovered the aircraft in a rather sorry state of complete destruction.
The vice president and president come from different parties, but the two teamed up to form an alliance during the 2020 elections.Mr. Chakwera paid tribute to Dr. Chilima, describing him as “a good man,” “a devoted father,” and “a formidable VP.”. “I consider it one of the great honours of my life to have had him as a deputy and as a counsellor,” he added.
Dr Chilima, 51, was en route to attend the burial of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who passed away four days ago, as a representative of the government.
Accompanying the flight was the esteemed presence of former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, who embarked from the bustling capital of Lilongwe on a delightful Monday morning.The plane was supposed to touch down at the airport in the northern city of Mzuzu, but unfortunately, it had to be redirected due to the less-than-ideal visibility conditions.
The military is in charge of transporting the remains of Dr. Chiima and the other victims to Lilongwe, as announced by the president. Funeral arrangements will be shared at a later time, according to BBC
BREAKING: The US offers military aircraft to help in search and rescue of plane carrying Malawi’s vice president. It has been 24 hours since the plane carrying Saulos Chilima & 9 others disappeared from radar.
President Lazarus Chakwera says he still hopes to find survivors pic.twitter.com/q9KlmAK86t
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) June 11, 2024
