Malawi vice president confirmed dead in plane crash

by Mick the Ram

The tragic news that Malawian’s had feared was revealed by President Lazarus Chakwera today (11 June) when he confirmed that the wreckage of the plane carrying vice-president Dr Saulos Chilima had been found, with no survivors.

The vice-president and nine others were flying within the country on the morning of 10 June when their military Dornier 228-202K aircraft disappeared from airport radars.

It was meant to land in the northern city of Mzuzu, but was turned back because of poor visibility.

Rescue workers had been searching Chikangawa Forest overnight and into the morning in an effort to locate the plane, which also had on board the former First Lady, Shanil Dzimbiri.

Dr Saulos Chilima’s aircraft is being searched for after disappearing from Malawi radar (Ahram Online)

Dr Chilima was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days earlier.

The President addressed the nation and said he was “deeply saddened and very sorry” to inform Malawians of the terrible tragedy.

No survivors

In a hastily arranged news briefing, President Chakwera confirmed that the Malawi Defence Force commander had informed him that the search and rescue operation had been completed, and the wreckage had been found completely destroyed in a foggy forest.

He sadly had to announce that there were no survivors and all those on board had been killed on impact.

Aircraft completely destroyed

Rescuer workers, which included many from neighbouring countries, had been combing the forest south of the destination city of Mzuzu amid a dense fog, after authorities located the last tower it transmitted to before the aircraft disappeared.

Helicopters and drones had been assisting with the search, although it is not known at this point how exactly the wreckage was finally located.

Photographs shared by the military rescue team showed army personnel standing on a foggy slope near debris of the stricken plane.

President deeply upset

Although the vice-president and president had come from different parties, the two had teamed up to form an alliance during the troubled 2020 elections.

Visibly upset, Mr Chakwera paid tribute to Dr Chilima, describing him as “a good man”, “devoted father and husband”, a “patriotic citizen” and a “formidable VP”, who “served his country with distinction”.

He went on to say: “I consider it one of the great honours of my life to have had him as a deputy and as a counsellor,for the past four years; words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is.”

Plane had seemed fine just hours before

Mr Chakwera also said he had previously flown on the very same aircraft for similar trips. Indeed, the crew had successfully operated it just hours before the accident.

Despite a previously good track record and flying with an experienced crew, something obviously went terribly wrong, possibly the deteriorating weather, although at this early stage it is all just conjecture.

Remains being flown back to capital

The military are transporting the remains of Dr Chiima and the other victims back to the capital, Lilongwe, and the President added that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Dr Chilima is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children, Sean and Elizabeth.