Obituary: Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and Nine Others Killed in Tragic Plane Crash, Death and Mourning Follow
Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others have died in a tragic plane crash, as confirmed by Colleen Samba, the president’s secretary, on Tuesday, June 11. After an extensive search operation, the missing plane was discovered in Chikangawa Forest, with all occupants found deceased. The Office of the President and Cabinet issued a formal statement detailing the accident, which has sent shockwaves throughout the nation.
The plane, carrying Vice President Chilima, former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, and eight others, had departed from the capital, Lilongwe, at 9:17 a.m. local time and was due to arrive 45 minutes later at Mzuzu International Airport. However, air traffic control advised the pilots not to attempt landing due to bad weather and poor visibility, instructing them to turn around instead. Shortly afterward, contact with the aircraft was lost, and it disappeared from radar, prompting a massive search operation in the mountainous forests of northern Malawi.
The search and rescue operation, which was launched immediately after the plane went missing, has ended in tragedy, with all occupants found dead. The wreckage of the plane was discovered in Chikangawa Forest, and the bodies of the deceased have been recovered. The news has been met with an outpouring of grief and shock, with the President declaring a national day of mourning and ordering all flags to fly at half-mast until the day of the funeral.
Vice President Chilima, who had been in office since 2020, was a prominent figure in Malawian politics. He was a candidate in the 2019 Malawian presidential election and finished third in a vote that was later annulled by the Constitutional Court due to irregularities. He joined President Lazarus Chakwera’s campaign as his running mate in the historic election rerun in 2020, which saw Chakwera elected president. Chilima had been facing corruption charges, but the charges were dropped last month, leading to criticism that the administration was not taking a hard enough stance against graft.
The crash has also claimed the life of former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, the ex-wife of former President Bakili Muluzi. Dzimbiri was a respected figure in Malawian politics and had been accompanying Vice President Chilima to the funeral of a former government minister. The other victims of the crash include three members of the military crew flying the plane and four other passengers, who have not been named yet.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. The government has promised to release more information as it becomes available, and the nation remains in shock and mourning. The tragedy has cast a pall over the country, with many residents expressing their condolences to the families of the deceased.
The loss of Vice President Chilima and the other nine passengers has left a void in the lives of many Malawians. Chilima was a respected leader who had dedicated his life to serving his country. His passing has been met with an outpouring of grief, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come. The nation will come together to mourn the loss of the deceased and to celebrate their lives.
The plane crash has also raised questions about aviation safety in Malawi. The government has promised to investigate the cause of the crash and to take measures to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again. The nation is in mourning, and the loss of the Vice President and the other nine passengers will be deeply felt for a long time.
In the wake of this tragedy, the nation comes together to support the families of the deceased. The government has promised to provide assistance to the families and to ensure that they receive the support they need during this difficult time. The loss of Vice President Chilima and the other nine passengers will be deeply felt, but their memory will live on through the lives they touched.
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