On Monday, June 10th, Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others were confirmed dead after their plane crashed in the Chikangawa mountain range. The aircraft, a military plane, had gone missing after failing to land at Mzuzu International Airport due to poor visibility. The wreckage was located after an intensive search operation, President Lazarus Chakwera announced.
President Chakwera described the incident as a “terrible tragedy” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss. He paid tribute to Chilima, calling him “a good man, a devoted father and husband, and a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction.”
The president also mourned the loss of the other passengers onboard, highlighting the heartbreaking nature of the accident.
The aircraft, identified as a Dornier 228, was carrying Chilima and seven military officers, along with two other passengers. The plane departed from Lilongwe, the capital, and was en route to attend the funeral of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara. Air traffic control had advised the plane to return to Lilongwe due to poor visibility when contact was lost.
Chilima, who was 51, had recently returned from the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul. He was considered a potential contender for the next presidential election. Despite his controversial past, including an arrest in 2022 on graft allegations, he was a prominent figure in Malawi’s political landscape. The charges against him were dropped last month.
The tragic crash has left the nation in mourning, with President Chakwera declaring a national day of mourning. The search and rescue operation involved drones and over 200 soldiers but was hindered by bad weather conditions. The United States Embassy in Lilongwe offered support, including a Defense C-12 aircraft.
The cause of the crash remains unclear, but President Chakwera assured the nation that every effort was being made to investigate the incident. He also confirmed that the vice president and the other victims would be laid to rest with dignity, and arrangements were underway to transport their remains to the capital.
