Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima, along with nine others, tragically died in a plane crash in a mountainous region in the north of the country, President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed on Tuesday. The plane, which had gone missing on Monday, was located after a search lasting over 24 hours. The wreckage was found near a hill, with all passengers killed on impact.
Chakwera described the incident as a “terrible tragedy” and praised Chilima as a dedicated public servant. Among the victims were members of Chilima’s staff, security detail, and former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri. The group was en route to attend a funeral when the plane encountered bad weather and poor visibility. Air traffic controllers had advised against landing, leading to the loss of contact with the aircraft.
The crash has prompted criticism from Chilima’s political party regarding the government’s response and the lack of a transponder on the plane. Chilima and Chakwera, who had formed an alliance following the 2019 elections, had faced internal tensions recently due to conflicting interests in the upcoming election.
International assistance, including specialized technologies from the U.S., U.K., Norway, and Israel, has been enlisted in the search and recovery efforts. The tragic incident has deeply impacted Malawi, a country with a history of political upheaval and economic challenges. The loss of Vice President Chilima and the other victims leaves a void in the nation’s leadership and marks a somber day in Malawi’s history.
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