World News
Missing Malawi plane found, VP, ex-First Lady, others reportedly dead
Malawi’s President, Lazarus Chakwera delivered the devastating news on Tuesday that his Vice President Saulos Chilima, along with nine other passengers, had tragically lost their lives in a plane crash.
The aircraft had gone missing after failing to land at Mzuzu International Airport, located approximately 380 km (240 miles) north of the capital city, Lilongwe. President Chakwera confirmed that the wreckage of the plane had been discovered, expressing his deep sorrow and condolences for the terrible tragedy that had unfolded.
The aircraft was found completely destroyed in the Chikangawa Forest, leaving the President at a loss for words to describe the heartbreak. He paid tribute to Vice President Chilima, highlighting his qualities as a good man, devoted father and husband, and a patriotic citizen who had served his country with distinction.
Ameyaw Debrah Media Reported that the military plane carrying the VP and nine others, including the former First Lady, Shanil Dzimbiri, failed to make a landing on Monday morning.
The VP and the nine others were to attend the funeral of a prominent Malawian lawyer, former Attorney General and Justice Minister, Ralph Kasambala in Mzuzu.
President Lazarus Chakwera had ordered regional and national forces to conduct an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the missing aircraft. However, all occupants were found dead.
Vice President Chilima had recently returned to Malawi on June 6 after attending the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul. Earlier in the day, the Malawi Defence Force had deployed drones and over 200 soldiers to search for the missing plane in the Chikangawa Forest reserve, but rescue operations had been hindered by adverse weather conditions, as explained by Force Commander Paul Valentino Phiri.