Malawi’s Vice-President, Saulos Chilima, and nine others have been confirmed de@d following a plane crash. The aircraft, a Dornier 228, disappeared on Monday morning amidst adverse weather conditions.
The search and rescue operation, involving various local and international teams, continued until the wreckage was discovered on Tuesday morning. The incident has led to national mourning, with condolences pouring in from various quarters.
The Malawi Defence Force aircraft “went off the radar” shortly after departing from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning. The plane was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport in the country’s north just after 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).
In a speech to the country, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera reveals the de@th of Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others in a plane crash. He claims that the 10 were “k!lled on impact” after their 34-year-old military plane crashed on a hill in the Chikangawa forest in severe weather.
The former Somali Ambassador to Kenya took to his X confirming the de@th.
“BREAKING NEWS: Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and 9 others confirmed de@d in a plane crash. The plane has been found and all 10 on board are dead! Deepest condolences to the Government of Malawi, VP Chilima family (VP and his wife were on board) and the families of the VP aides and crew. May their soul rest in peace”
“BREAKING NEWS Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and 9 others confirmed de@d in a plane crash. The Malawi Defence Forces Chopper aboard Chilima and 9 others failed to land at Mzuzu airport in Northern Malawi at 10 yesterday morning and efforts to trace it begun immediately. The MDF aircraft was reported to have “went off the radar” just after it left the nation’s capital, Lilongwe, Malawi. May the souls of the departed Rest in Eternal peace. Malawi has lost a Future President.”
