Malawi's Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima among Ten Killed
in Plane Crash
Malawi's Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima, was tragically
killed along with nine others in a plane crash in the Chikangawa mountain
range, the government announced on Tuesday. In response to the devastating
incident, President Lazarus Chakwera declared a national day of mourning.
Initial reports had suggested that Chilima's wife, Mary, was
also on the ill-fated flight, but later updates cast doubt on her presence. The
Office of the President and Cabinet released a statement confirming the
fatalities: "Unfortunately, all on board have perished in the crash."
The announcement followed an extensive search operation that lasted over a day
in the forested mountains of northern Malawi. The military plane had crashed on
Monday morning shortly after departing from Lilongwe, the nation's capital.
The 51-year-old Vice President and his entourage were en
route to attend the funeral of Malawi’s former attorney general when their
aircraft vanished from radar. Air traffic officials disclosed that the plane,
struggling with poor visibility, was unable to land at Mzuzu airport,
approximately 200 miles north of Lilongwe, and was instructed to return when it
disappeared.
In a national address, President Chakwera explained that
Chilima and the others were aboard a small military plane, identified as a
Dornier 228 twin-propeller aircraft. The plane had been part of the Malawian
army's fleet since 1988, a fact confirmed by cross-referencing its tail number
with data from the ch-aviation website.
Confusion remained about Mary Chilima's status, with some local
sources reporting she was not on the flight. However, the government did not
immediately provide clarity on her location or condition.
Dr. Saulos Chilima, regarded as a potential candidate for
the upcoming presidential election, had a somewhat contentious political
career. In 2022, he was arrested on corruption charges amid allegations of
receiving kickbacks from a businessman in exchange for government contracts.
Chilima consistently denied these accusations, which were eventually dropped by
the national prosecutor just last month.
During a televised address on Monday night, President
Chakwera assured the nation that search and rescue efforts would persist until
the downed plane was located. "I know this is a heartbreaking
situation," he stated, "and we are all frightened and
concerned."
International support poured in, with several countries,
including the United States, offering technological aid for the search
operation. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe expressed its deep concern over the
crash and offered assistance, including a Defense C-12 aircraft.
The loss of Vice President Chilima is a significant blow to
Malawi, not only politically but also emotionally, as he was seen as a dynamic
and influential leader. His death, alongside the other victims, marks a tragic
chapter in the nation’s history, as the country now mourns and begins to heal
from this profound loss.
