President Lazarus Chakwera announced that a military aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others crashed with no survivors.
Chilima, who was traveling to a former minister’s burial, and former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri were among the victims. He said;
“The aircraft went missing after it failed to land at Mzuzu International Airport, located about 380 km (240 miles) north of the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning. Soldiers located the wreckage in Chikangawa Forest.”
President Chakwera expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, confirming the aircraft was completely destroyed.
He assured that the vice president and the other victims would be laid to rest with dignity, and efforts were underway to transport their remains to the capital.
BIOGRAPHY
Chilima 51,had first served as deputy to former President Peter Mutharika from 2014 to 2019 and was sworn in as vice president again in 2020.An economist, he previously led Airtel Malawi, becoming the first Malawian to do so.
Chilima and Chakwera had formed an alliance in the 2020 elections. Chilima, widely loved, especially by the youth, had been vice president since 2014. He was previously charged with corruption in 2022, but the charges were dropped last month.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
