Malawi President confirms death of Vice President Saulos Chilima in plane crash

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed on Tuesday the tragic death of Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other passengers in a plane crash.

President Chakwera addressed a press conference, revealing that the aircraft carrying his deputy went missing after failing to land at Mzuzu International Airport, located about 380 km (240 miles) north of the capital, Lilongwe. The wreckage of the plane has since 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,” Chakwera announced.

“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.”

The incident was first reported when a plane carrying Vice President Chilima and nine others disappeared off the radar on Monday. The plane reportedly crash-landed in Chikangawa Forest.

A statement from the President’s office confirmed that the Malawi Defense Force aircraft “went off the radar” after departing from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning. Aviation officials were unable to contact the aircraft, prompting the President to order a search and rescue operation.

The plane was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport in the country’s north shortly after 10:00 local time (11:00 BST), but it never arrived, leading to the tragic discovery and confirmation of the crash.

This devastating event has left the nation in mourning as the government and the people of Malawi come to terms with the loss of their Vice President and the other passengers aboard the ill-fated flight.