Malawi vice president, nine others confirmed killed in plane crash

Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others, including former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, were confirmed killed after the military plane they were travelling in crashed.

This was announced by President Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday after several hours of search and rescue operations.

Chilima, who was seen as a potential candidate in next year’s presidential election, went missing on Monday.

“I’m deeply saddened, I’m sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy. The search and rescue team has found the aircraft near a hill. They have found it completely destroyed with no survivors,” Chakwera said in an address to the nation.

“Despite the track record of the aircraft and the experience of the crew, something terrible went wrong with that aircraft on its flight back to Lilongwe, sending it crashing down and leaving us all devastated,” he said

The 51-year-old Vice President was on a military aircraft with nine others that departed Lilongwe, the capital, at 9:17 a.m. (0717 GMT), according to a statement from Malawi’s Office of the President and Cabinet.

“Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction, and a formidable vice president,” Chakwera added.

Malawi had asked neighbouring countries, as well as the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Israel, for assistance.