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
Agona West MP Cynthia Mamle Morrison denies reports of rescinding independent candidacy
18:20Bawumia belittles NDC's manufactured 'Majority' in Parliament
12:12Bawumia campaign accuses Mahama of being out of touch with current affairs
09:47Bishop Salifu Amoako, wife, 1 other person charged with allowing 'unlicensed person to drive', granted bail
22:31EC to Finalise certified voter roll for Dec. 7 polls by November
18:55Dec. 7 polls: Vote NPP out NPP for ‘destroying Ghana’ – Ato Forson tells Mankessim residents
11:54Firewood & charcoal: The silent killer in our kitchens – Rev. Mireku
17:44You've disgraced me with your unwarranted attack on journalist – Salifu Amoako tells congregation
14:42PRINPAG launches Code of Ethics to strengthen journalism standards in Ghana
11:12Contact NDC comms team before publishing self-designed NDC ads, paraphernalia – NDC to sympathisers
20:20