NEWS

Malawi’s Vice President Killed in Plane Crash

In a tragic incident, Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima, was killed in a plane crash on Monday morning. The military aircraft carrying Dr. Chilima and nine others vanished from airport radar during a domestic flight, ultimately crashing in the Chikangawa Forest.

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The vice president’s plane, which was battling poor weather conditions, was found completely destroyed by a search team. The aircraft was initially scheduled to land in Mzuzu but was redirected due to low visibility.

President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the devastating news in a briefing on Tuesday, expressing profound sorrow and condolences. The search and rescue operation concluded with the discovery of the wreckage and no survivors.

Alongside Dr. Chilima, the crash claimed the lives of former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri and several others. The vice president was en route to attend the burial of ex-government minister Ralph Kasambara.

Dr. Chilima, 51, had served as vice president since 2014 and was a prominent figure in Malawian politics, particularly admired by the youth. Despite his alliance with President Chakwera from different political parties, they had worked together since the 2020 elections. Dr. Chilima’s recent legal troubles, involving corruption charges that were dropped last month, had not diminished his popularity.

He leaves behind a wife and two children. The nation mourns his untimely death, with tributes pouring in from across Malawi and beyond.

This tragic event underscores the risks associated with air travel and the profound impact such losses have on a nation’s leadership and its people. Malawi now faces the challenge of moving forward without one of its key political figures.