Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima, 9 Others Killed In Plane Crash, Prez Lazarus Chakwera Confirms

Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others were tragically killed in a plane crash, President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed on Tuesday. The wreckage of the military aircraft was found in a mountainous area in the northern region of the country following an exhaustive search that lasted over a day. There were no survivors, news agency AP reported. Malawi President Chakwera made the confirmation during a live address on state television.

ALSO READ | Odisha Begins Search For New Official Residence for Incoming Chief Minister. Here’s Why

Malawi Vice President’s Plane Went Missing

The BBC had earlier reported that the aircraft, which was carrying Malawi Vice President Chilima and nine other individuals, had gone missing. The plane reportedly “went off the radar” after departing from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning. It was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport, located in the north, shortly after 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).

In a speech late on Monday, Malawi President Chakwera provided updates on the ongoing search and rescue operation. “Soldiers are still on the ground carrying out the search and I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found,” he stated, describing the situation as “heart-breaking.”

“I know that we are all frightened and concerned – I too am concerned. But I want to assure you that I am sparing no available resource to find that plane and I am holding onto every fibre of hope that we will find survivors,” Chakwera added, as quoted by BBC’s report.

Malawi Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu told the BBC that efforts to locate the plane were “intensive.”

Chilima was en route to attend the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who had passed away three days prior, as per the report. According to Kunkuyu, “The airport he was to land at, which is in the northern part of Mzuzu, was the closest to where the funeral was taking place.”

Chilima’s political career had seen significant challenges; in 2022, he was arrested and charged with allegations of accepting money in exchange for awarding government contracts. However, the charges were dropped last month without explanation.