Malawi was plunged into mourning on Tuesday (June 11) following the devastating news of a plane crash that claimed the lives of Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other individuals. The aircraft, which went missing on Monday (June 10), was discovered in Chikangawa Forest after an extensive search operation, tragically confirming the demise of all occupants.
Colleen Samba, the president’s secretary, officially confirmed the tragic incident in a statement released on Tuesday. The Office of the President and Cabinet also issued a formal statement expressing condolences and providing details about the unfortunate accident.
The ill-fated plane, carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, and eight others, had departed from the capital but encountered adverse weather conditions upon reaching Mzuzu. Despite air traffic control’s warning against attempting a landing due to poor visibility, the aircraft lost contact and vanished from radar shortly thereafter.
Vice President Saulos Chilima, who had held the position since 2014, was a prominent figure in Malawi’s political and business landscape. Prior to his tenure in politics, he had a distinguished career in the corporate sector, having worked with notable companies such as Airtel Malawi, Unilever, Coca Cola, and Carlsberg.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across Malawi, prompting an outpouring of grief and condolences from the nation and beyond. As the country mourns the loss of its esteemed leader and other victims of the crash, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are expected to shed light on the cause and ensure accountability.
