Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima, along with nine others, tragically perished in a plane crash as confirmed by President Lazarus Chakwera. The aircraft, a Malawi Army Air Wing Dornier 228-202K, crashed in a forest after encountering adverse weather conditions on its journey from Lilongwe to Mzuzu.
Despite search efforts, no survivors were found, underscoring the devastating nature of the accident. The loss is deeply felt by the nation, with President Chakwera describing it as an “unbearable tragedy.”
The group, which included former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, was en route to attend a funeral when the incident occurred. Chakwera expressed his personal connection to the aircraft, having flown on it previously for similar trips, highlighting the unexpected turn of events despite its prior reliability.
Chilima, known for his charisma and dedication to Malawi, had faced challenges in his tenure, including legal issues related to corruption allegations. However, these were recently dropped, allowing him to resume his duties. Chakwera paid tribute to Chilima’s service and character, emphasizing the honor of having worked alongside him.