The Vice President of Malawi, Saulos Chilima, and nine others tragically lost their lives in a plane crash while flying over the Chikangawa Forest Reserve, President Lazarus Chakwera announced on Tuesday.
The aircraft carrying Chilima went missing on June 10 as it was en route to Mzuzu International Airport, approximately 380 km north of the capital, Lilongwe, amidst severe weather conditions, according to a report by CNN.
The wreckage was located on Tuesday following a drone search that had been delayed due to poor weather conditions in this southeastern African nation, Chakwera confirmed hours after the discovery.
"The search and rescue operation I ordered to find the missing plane carrying our Vice President and nine others has concluded. The plane has been located," he stated.
"I am deeply saddened and regret to inform you that this has turned out to be a terrible tragedy," Chakwera declared.
The Malawian president explained that the plane was found "completely destroyed" in the Chikangawa Forest and added that "words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is. I can only imagine the immense pain and anguish being felt right now and in the days and weeks to come as we mourn this terrible loss."
Chakwera paid tribute to his deputy, describing him as "a good man, a devoted father and husband, and a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction."
Chilima, 51, had returned to Malawi on June 6 after attending the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul the previous week. The accident occurred on June 10 as he was traveling in a military aircraft to the mentioned area.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Malawi Defense Forces reported deploying drones and at least 200 soldiers to search for the plane in the Chikangawa Forest Reserve, the last known location of the aircraft's signals.
Commander Paul Valentino Phiri indicated that the rescue operations had been delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
Details Surrounding the Tragic Plane Crash
In light of the recent tragic event involving the Vice President of Malawi, several questions have emerged regarding the incident. Here, we address some of the most pressing inquiries.
When did the plane carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima go missing?
The plane went missing on June 10 while en route to Mzuzu International Airport.
What were the weather conditions like during the flight?
The flight encountered severe weather conditions, which contributed to the delay in the search and rescue operations.
How many people were on board the aircraft?
A total of ten people, including Vice President Saulos Chilima, were on board the aircraft.