Malawi VP confirmed dead in plane crash in forest
The wreck of a plane carrying Malawi’s vice president has been found with no survivors, President Lazarus Chakwera has said.
Saulos Chilima and nine others were flying within the country on Monday morning when their aircraft disappeared from airport radars.
The plane, a military aircraft, was flying in bad weather.
Soldiers were searching Chikangawa Forest in an effort to find the plane.
In a news briefing on Tuesday, President Chakwera said the Malawi Defence Force commander informed him that the search and rescue operation had been completed and the plane was found.
Mr Chakwera said he was “deeply saddened and sorry” to inform Malawians of the terrible tragedy.
He said the rescue team found the aircraft completely destroyed.
The vice-president and president come from different parties but the two teamed up to form an alliance during the 2020 elections.
Dr Chilima, 51, was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who died four days ago.
Former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri was also on the flight, which took off from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.
It was meant to land at the airport in the northern city of Mzuzu but was turned back because of poor visibility.
Dr Chilima had been vice-president of Malawi since 2014.
He was widely loved in Malawi, particularly among the youth, AFP news agency reports.
However, Dr Chilima was arrested and charged in 2022 on allegations that he accepted money in exchange for awarding government contracts.
Last month, the court dropped the charges, giving no reasons for the decision.
Dr Chilima is married with two children.
Source: BBC
Trending News
Ayariga takes over as Majority Leader today
09:43Yusif Sulemana urges constituents to maintain peace after ministerial omission
18:47GCAG to President Mahama: Declare state of emergency over our water bodies, engage military
15:19NDC Youth Wing congratulates George Opare Addo on ministerial nomination
12:12‘I pledge to work hard to justify this trust’ – Roads Minister
09:30Nana Oye Bampoe Addo: Queen Mothers, traders of Kumasi Market congratulate Dep. Chief of Staff appointee
18:33Job-for-sale, grassroots neglect led to NPP’s defeat – Dr. John Krugu
14:05Security forces deployed to Nkwanta following renewed violence over chieftaincy dispute
11:21Attorney-General to confer with ORAL team over recovered looted assets
09:15Come to terms with 2024 electoral loss swiftly – Ato Forson advises Minority
17:33