Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others die in plane crash
The small military aircraft, carrying 51-year-old Chilima, crashed in a mountainous area near Mzuzu due to severe weather conditions. Among the victims was former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri.
Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others tragically lost their lives in a plane crash on Monday. The small military aircraft, carrying 51-year-old Chilima, crashed in a mountainous area near Mzuzu due to severe weather conditions. Among the victims was former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri.
The plane took off shortly after 9:00 am local time (0700 GMT) but failed to land as scheduled, prompting an extensive search. On Tuesday, President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed in a live address on state television that the wreckage had been found in the thick forests and hilly terrain near Mzuzu. The aircraft was completely destroyed, and there were no survivors.
President Chakwera paid tribute to Chilima, describing him as a dedicated public servant, a devoted father and husband, and a patriotic citizen. “Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is,” Chakwera said, highlighting Chilima’s service to the country and his role as vice president and counsellor for the past four years.
Chilima, who first became vice president in 2014, was highly respected, particularly among young people in Malawi. Despite facing challenges, including being stripped of his powers in 2022 due to corruption charges that were later dropped, he remained a significant figure in Malawian politics.
The crash also claimed the lives of seven other passengers and three military crew members. The group was en route to Mzuzu to attend the funeral of a former government minister following Chilima’s return from an official visit to South Korea.
Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed condolences and solidarity with Malawi in a post on social media platform X. “Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima in a plane crash. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased leader. India stands in solidarity with Malawi at this tragic time,” Dhankhar wrote.
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