Malawi’s vice-president, Saulos Chilima, and nine other people have perished in a plane crash, the country’s president, Lazarus Chakwera, said in a live televised address. The wreckage of the military plane was found in Chikangawa mountain range in the north of the country on Monday.
On the10th of June 2024, the aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others was reported missing. The aircraft went off the radar after it left Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, said the Malawian president’s office. The plane was supposed to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the country’s north.
President Lazarus Chakwera said a search and rescue operation was to be carried out. “Soldiers are still on the ground carrying out the search and I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found,” he said. He was hoping that they could find survivors but unfortunately, the aircraft was found with everyone on board dead.
“I know that we are all frightened and concerned – I too am concerned. But I want to assure you that I am sparing no available resource to find that plane and I am holding onto every fiber of hope that we will find survivors.”
Mr. Chilima was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days ago. Mr. Kunkuyu said: “The airport he was to land, which is in the northern part of Mzuzu, was the closest to where the funeral was taking place.”