Malawi is mourning the death of Vice President Shaulos Chilima, and nine others who perished in a fatal plane crash confirmed President Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday.
After over a 24-hour search, in that terrain of the country’s northern region the disintegrated remains of the military plane carrying Vice President Chilima were discovered by lucky soldiers.President Chakwera addressed the nation with gloominess live on television announcing that unfortunately there were no survivors.
They went missing after their airplane, which was transporting Vice President Chilima and former First Lady Shanil Ghimbiri among others flew off radar during its scheduled 45-minute journey from Lilongwe to Mzuzu in the north.
Poor visibility owing to tough weather conditions caused air traffic controllers to reroute the aircraft away from Mzuzu Airport back to Lilongwe. This however immediately then there was disconnection between them and this led to an emergent situation for decision makers.
Accordingly, according to Malawi Armed Forces Commander Gen. Valentino Phiri fatalities including seven passengers and three military crew members aboard a small propeller plane belonging to Malawi Armed Forces. About 600 personnel comprising soldiers, police officers, rangers as well as volunteers from organizations such as Malawi Red Cross undertook search and rescue operation across vast forest plantation at Waifia Mountains near Mzuzu.
However, difficult terrain coupled with thick forest cover were said General Phiri explained why it was impossible to continue searchingdoomed searching efforts.As challenging as they are authorities haven’t given up hope for finding wreckage or even any possible survivors.
President Chakwera thanked United States, United Kingdom,Norway,and Israel governments for assisting during search operations through sending professionals. Zambia,Tanzania and other neighboring countries have also joined hands with more helicopters and drones being brought forth so as to help in intensifying searching endeavors within these boundaries.
As a result, Malawi has been shaken by the untimely death of Vice President Chilima, a well-known two-term politician. Notably, among other political milestones that have happened during his term was where he played a pivotal role in the historic 2020 redistricting elections which saw President Chakwera win. The sudden death of Chilima has created a leadership vacuum and left mourning in politics in this country.
