On Tuesday, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi stated that a plane crash had killed Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other people.
About 380 kilometers (240 miles) north of Lilongwe, the capital, the aircraft went missing after failing to land at Mzuzu International Airport. Chakwera informed the country in a speech that the plane's wreckage had been found.
My directive to locate the missing jet carrying our vice president and nine others has been fulfilled. We have located the plane. This has turned out to be a terrible tragedy, and I am very sorry to have to break the news to you," Chakwera added.
Commending his deputy, Chakwera said, "a good man, a devoted father and husband, (and) a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction."
Speaking from the capital of Malawi, Chakwera expressed his deepest condolences for the death of the former president and his loved ones, including his wife Mary, as well as his friends, colleagues in the cabinet, and the entire nation. Along with the rest of the passengers, the president expressed his sorrow for their deaths.
By informing reporters that he had flown on the identical plane before, the Malawian leader brought attention to the tragedy of the crash.
"Yet, despite the aircraft's history and the crew's expertise, something catastrophic occurred on the return flight to Lilongwe," he continued.
Air traffic control had instructed the vice president's jet not to try to land and instead to return to the capital owing to poor visibility, the president said journalists on Monday evening. The authorities immediately began a search operation after losing communication with the plane.
Speaking from the capital of Malawi, Chakwera expressed his deepest condolences for the death of the former president and his loved ones, including his wife Mary, as well as his friends, colleagues in the cabinet, and the entire nation. Along with the rest of the passengers, the president expressed his sorrow for their deaths.
By informing reporters that he had flown on the identical plane before, the Malawian leader brought attention to the tragedy of the crash.
"Yet, despite the aircraft's history and the crew's expertise, something catastrophic occurred on the return flight to Lilongwe," he continued.
Air traffic control had instructed the vice president's jet not to try to land and instead to return to the capital owing to poor visibility, the president said journalists on Monday evening. The authorities immediately began a search operation after losing communication with the plane.
At least 200 soldiers and drones were sent out by the Malawi Defence Force earlier on Tuesday to seek the Chikangawa Forest reserve, the last known location of the jet.
According to Force Commander Paul Valentino Phiri, severe weather has slowed down rescue efforts.
"A dignified manner" would be observed during the funerals of the vice president and the other nine victims, according to Chakwera.
According to live footage, Chakwera received their bodies when they arrived in the capital on Tuesday evening.
A 21-day national mourning will be observed in memory of Chilima and the other officials who tragically lost their lives in the tragedy. A statement issued by the president's office said that a period of mourning will begin on June 11 and continue until July 1.
The news of the jet crash "very saddened" António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations. "We extend our deepest sympathies to their loved ones and we are here with the people of Malawi during this difficult period," he stated.
After attending the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul last week, Chilima, who is 51 years old, returned to Malawi on June 6. Between 2014 and 2019, he was Peter Mutharika's deputy. In 2020, he was sworn in for a second term as vice president. Chilima, an economist by training, was the first Malawian to run the telecom corporation Airtel Malawi.
It was a tremendous honor for President Chakwera to have him as his deputy and counselor for the last four years, Chakwera stated.
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