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
GAF deploys 400 additional troops to Bawku under Operation Maidabuuri II
14:27NPP to acclaim Akwatia by-election PC tomorrow
12:02Tension escalates in Manso Tontokrom over planned military deployment to disputed Asanko mining site
04:55'Cedi no apicki’ – Finance Minister declares amid strong currency gains
14:58EC sets September 2 for Akwatia by-election following MP’s death
14:18Dominion University to host groundbreaking media AI conference on July 31
13:15NPP to open nominations for 2028 flagbearer race on July 29
06:03Hard-earned progress, not mere luck – Ato Forson declares during Mid-Year Budget presentation
14:54Military assaults eyewitness at alleged McDan property demolition site
14:06Hepatitis poses major public health threat in Ghana – MPs call for action
11:02