Updated: Malawi VP’s plane found with no survivors, presidency says

The wreck of a plane carrying Malawi’s Vice-President has been found with no survivors, President Lazarus Chakwera has said.

Persecondnews recalls that Mr. Saulos Chilima, 51, and nine others were flying within the country on Monday morning when their aircraft disappeared from the airport radars.

The plane, a military aircraft, was flying in bad weather.

Soldiers had been searching Chikangawa Forest overnight and into the morning in an effort to find the plane.

President Chakwera said at a news briefing on Tuesday that the commander of the Malawi Defence Force had informed him that the search and rescue operation had been successful and the plane had been located.

Chakwera said he was “deeply saddened and sorry” to inform Malawians of the terrible tragedy.

He said the rescue team found the aircraft completely destroyed.

The vice president and president come from different parties, but the two teamed up to form an alliance during the 2020 elections.

Chakwera paid tributes to Dr Chilima, describing him as “a good man”, “devoted father” and “formidable VP”.

“I consider it one of the great honours of my life to have had him as a deputy and as a counsellor,” he added.

Chilima, 51, was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who died four days ago.

Former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri was also on the flight, which took off from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.

Poor visibility forced it to turn back from its intended landing at the airport in the northern city of Mzuzu.

The military is transporting the remains of Chiima and the other victims to Lilongwe, the president said, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.