Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has announced the tragic death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima in a plane crash. The plane, carrying nine other individuals, departed from Lilongwe yesterday morning.
The military aircraft was scheduled to land at Mzuzu Airport but encountered bad weather, causing it to go off the radar. During an address in Lilongwe, Chakwera expressed his deep sorrow, stating, "Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is, and I can only imagine the pain and anguish you all must be feeling, as well as the pain and anguish you will continue to feel as we mourn this terrible loss."
The aircraft, which had a history of successful flights, including previous trips by the Speaker, crashed despite its proven track record and experienced crew. President Chakwera noted, "That aircraft is one I have used on similar trips, an aircraft others had used just the day before, and an aircraft the crew had operated successfully just hours before. Yet, despite this, something terrible went wrong, leading to the crash and the loss of all on board, leaving us devastated."
Former President Peter Mutharika has called for national prayers for the Vice President and the others who perished in the crash.
