Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others were killed in a plane crash in the mountains of Malawi, as confirmed by President Lazarus Chakwera. The wreckage was located near Mzuzu after an extensive search a day after the plane vanished. President Chakwera expressed his deep sadness and confirmed that there were no survivors.
President Chakwera provided details during a live television address, explaining that the plane was found completely destroyed in the dense forest and hilly terrain. Chilima, aged 51, was among the victims, along with former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri and several other passengers and military crew members. They were en route to Mzuzu to attend a funeral for a former government minister.
The ill-fated flight was supposed to be a short 45-minute journey from Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, to Mzuzu. However, the plane disappeared from radar after air traffic controllers instructed the pilot to return to Lilongwe due to poor weather conditions and visibility issues at Mzuzu’s airport. This led to a major search operation involving 300 police officers, 200 soldiers, and local forest rangers.
Saulos Chilima was in his second term as vice president, having previously served from 2014 to 2019 under former President Peter Mutharika. Despite facing corruption charges recently, these were dropped last month, with Chilima consistently denying any wrongdoing. His unexpected death marks a significant loss for the nation.
The crash not only claimed the lives of key political figures but also highlighted the challenges of aviation safety in adverse weather conditions. The nation mourns the loss of its vice president and others, reflecting on the impact of this tragic event on Malawi’s political and social landscape.
