In a tragic incident, Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other passengers lost their lives in a plane crash. The aircraft, a small, propeller-driven plane operated by the Malawian armed forces, crashed in a mountainous area in the northern part of the country. President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the devastating news during a live address on state television.

What Happened to Plane Carrying Saulos Chilima

The military plane, carrying Vice President Chilima and the other passengers, was expected to land at Mzuzu International Airport. However, it went missing during its 45-minute flight from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, to Mzuzu. Air traffic controllers had advised against landing at Mzuzu due to bad weather and poor visibility. Instead, they instructed the plane to return to Lilongwe. Unfortunately, contact with the aircraft was lost, and it disappeared from radar.

Search and Recovery Efforts

Hundreds of soldiers, police officers, and forest rangers participated in the search for the missing plane. The wreckage was eventually located in a vast forest plantation in the Viphya Mountains near Mzuzu. Regrettably, there were no survivors.

About Saulos Chilima

Saulos Chilima, 51, was serving his second term as vice president. He previously held the same position from 2014 to 2019 under former President Peter Mutharika. Chilima gained prominence during the 2019 Malawian presidential election, where he finished third. The election results were later annulled due to irregularities, leading to an historic election rerun in 2020. Chilima joined President Chakwera’s campaign as his running mate, resulting in Chakwera’s victory.

A Nation Mourns

Malawi is in shock and mourning following this tragic loss. The nation remembers Vice President Chilima and the other victims who perished in the ill-fated flight. Our thoughts are with their families during this difficult time.

Note: Prosecutors dropped corruption charges against Vice President Chilima last month, relating to alleged influence over government procurement contracts for the Malawi armed forces and police.¹