Breaking News: Malawi Vice President killed in plane crash

Malawi Vice President, Saulos Chilima, killed in plane crash:

The wreck of a plane carrying vice president of Malawi has been found with no survivors, President Lazarus Chakwera has said.

Saulos Chilima and nine others were flying within the country on Monday morning when their aircraft disappeared from airport radars.

The plane, a military aircraft, was flying in bad weather, which is believed to have been a significant factor in the tragic incident.

Soldiers were dispatched to search Chikangawa Forest in an effort to locate the missing plane.

In a news briefing on Tuesday, President Chakwera announced that the Malawi Defence Force commander had informed him the search and rescue operation had concluded, and the plane had been found. Unfortunately, there were no survivors.

President Chakwera expressed his deep sorrow, stating he was “deeply saddened and sorry” to deliver such devastating news to the nation.

He noted that the rescue team had found the aircraft completely destroyed, emphasizing the severity of the crash.

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Vice President Saulos Chilima, aged 51, was a significant figure in Malawian politics.

Despite coming from different political parties, Chilima and President Chakwera formed an alliance during the 2020 elections, successfully uniting their strengths to win the presidency.

Dr. Chilima had been serving as vice president of Malawi since 2014, having garnered widespread popularity, particularly among the youth.

His leadership and political acumen were highly regarded, and he played a pivotal role in the country’s governance.

Dr. Chilima was en route to represent the government at the burial of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who had passed away four days prior.

The plane, which also carried former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, took off from the capital city, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.

The flight was scheduled to land at the airport in Mzuzu, a northern city, but was turned back due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions.

This decision proved to be fatal as the plane subsequently went missing and later was discovered wrecked in the forest.

Despite his popularity and significant contributions to Malawian politics, Dr. Chilima faced challenges during his tenure.

In 2022, he was arrested and charged with allegations of accepting money in exchange for awarding government contracts.

However, last month, the court dropped the charges without providing any reasons, clearing his name of the accusations.

This event had a substantial impact on his political career and public image, although many of his supporters continued to stand by him.

Dr. Chilima’s untimely death is a significant loss for Malawi. His contributions to the country and his vision for its future will be remembered.

He leaves behind a wife and two children, who now must navigate the immense personal loss.

The tragic accident has sent shockwaves throughout Malawi, with citizens and leaders alike mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant and a respected leader.

The incident underscores the inherent risks of air travel, especially in adverse weather conditions, and highlights the importance of stringent safety measures to prevent such tragedies.

As Malawi mourns this profound loss, the nation must also reflect on ensuring the safety of its leaders and citizens in all forms of transportation.

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