JUST IN: Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima Confirmed Dead in Plane Crash: No Survivors Found

Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima has been confirmed dead after a military aircraft he was aboard was found with no survivors. The aircraft, carrying the 51-year-old Vice President and nine others, went missing on Monday morning while en route from the nation’s capital, Lilongwe, to Mzuzu.

President Lazarus Chakwera delivered the heartbreaking news in a press briefing on Tuesday. He stated that the Malawi Defence Force commander had informed him of the completion of the search and rescue operation, which ended with the discovery of the wreckage. “I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform Malawians of this terrible tragedy,” Chakwera said.

The aircraft, which also carried Chilima’s wife, Mary, was located completely destroyed in the Chikangawa Forest. Earlier reports indicated that the plane may have crashed in the dense forest. According to top military official Paul Valentino Phiri, the search efforts were severely hampered by foggy weather, which significantly reduced visibility.

The military aircraft departed from Lilongwe at 09:17 am (0717 GMT) on Monday and was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport at 10:02 am (local time). However, due to poor visibility, the plane was unable to land and was ordered to return to the capital. The last known contact with the aircraft was shortly after this order was issued.

Malawi’s information minister revealed that the country had sought assistance from Angola’s space agency to locate the missing plane. Despite these efforts, the search concluded with the tragic confirmation of no survivors.

The loss of Vice President Chilima and the others aboard the aircraft is a profound blow to Malawi. Vice President Chilima was a significant figure in Malawian politics, known for his dedication and service to the nation. His untimely death leaves a void in the country’s leadership and casts a shadow over the nation’s political landscape.