Malawi was plunged into mourning as Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others lost their lives in a devastating plane crash. President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the tragic news in a somber address, revealing that the wreckage of the military plane was discovered in a remote, mountainous region after an extensive search effort.
Despite the valiant efforts of hundreds of personnel, there were no survivors from the crash, which occurred during a routine flight from Lilongwe to Mzuzu. The aircraft, identified as a small, propeller-driven plane operated by the Malawian armed forces, carried seven passengers and three military crew members. Chilima, a prominent political figure who served as vice president since 2019, leaves behind a legacy marked by his significant contributions to Malawi’s political landscape and his role in shaping the nation’s recent electoral history.