President Lazarus Chakwera addressed the country over the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others. The President shared the news that the search and rescue operation had concluded, revealing the destruction of the aircraft and the loss of all on board.
“The Malawi Defence Force Commander has informed me that the search and rescue operations I ordered to find the missing plane that carried our Vice-President and nine others have been completed and the plane has been found. I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy,” President Chakwera announced. “The search and rescue has found the aircraft near a hill in the Chikangawa forest and they have found it completely destroyed with no survivors as all passengers on board were killed on impact.”
The President expressed his deep sorrow and acknowledged the collective grief of the nation. “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 and will feel in the coming days and weeks as we mourn this terrible loss. I also know that going through a terrible loss like this makes you feel helpless and lost as death has a way of reminding us that we do not have control over so many things that affect our lives and those we love.”
He honoured Vice President Chilima, describing him as “a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction and a formidable Vice President.” President Chakwera expressed his gratitude for having worked with Chilima, calling it “one of the greatest honours of my life to have him as my deputy and counsellor for the past four years.”
The President concluded his speech with a call for unity and a minute of silence to honour the deceased. “I pray to God to comfort us all and to bind up our wounds as we mourn together as one nation, under one flag. More than anything, I am deeply sorry to all of you for this terrible loss and I humbly ask you all for a minute of silence to honour their memory. May their souls rest in peace.”
Arrangements for the dignified burial of the Vice President and others will be announced later today.
The plane wreckage was found with no signs of life among the 10 occupants. The plane, carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, and eight others, departed from Lilongwe’s capital. However, air traffic control in Mzuzu advised the pilots to turn around due to bad weather and poor visibility.
Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft shortly after it went off the radar. Chilima, vice president since 2014, previously led the mobile network Airtel Malawi and worked at Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Carlsberg.