BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others died in a small military plane crash. The accident occurred in a mountainous region in the north of the country, confirmed the president on Tuesday.
In a live TV address, President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the plane wreckage’s discovery. The crash site, near Mzuzu, revealed the plane’s total destruction and loss of all onboard lives.
Chakwera expressed deep sadness over the plane’s discovery. He conveyed condolences to the nation, acknowledging the tragic outcome.
“Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is and I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be feeling at this time, as well as how much pain and anguish you all will be feeling in the coming days and weeks as we mourn this terrible loss,” Chakwera said.
He said 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 asked everyone to observe a moment’s silence and stood with his head bowed at the podium where he was making his address.
Former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, the ex-wife of former President Bakili Muluzi, was also on the plane, the president had said. There were seven passengers and three military crew members onboard
Moreover, the nation pledges to prevent similar incidents in the future through enhanced safety protocols.
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