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Malawi reels in shock and grief as news breaks of the tragic loss of Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other individuals in a devastating plane crash.
According to Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, there were no survivors of the crash, which occurred on June 11. The wreckage of the military plane, which was carrying Vice President Chilima, was discovered in a rugged mountainous region in the northern part of the country following an extensive search effort lasting over a day.
The ill-fated flight, en route from the capital city of Lilongwe to Mzuzu, encountered adverse weather conditions, prompting air traffic controllers to advise against landing at Mzuzu’s airport. Despite the directive to return to Lilongwe, contact with the aircraft was lost, plunging it off radar screens.
The tragic incident has left the nation in mourning, with hundreds of soldiers, police officers, and forest rangers joining the search and recovery mission. Among the passengers aboard the plane were also a former first lady and three military crew members.
Vice President Saulos Chilima, serving his second term, held a prominent role in Malawian politics, having previously contested in the presidential elections. His untimely demise marks a profound loss for the nation, compounded by the historical significance of his political career.
Chilima’s involvement in the 2019 Malawian presidential election, which saw the overturning of results and subsequent victory of President Chakwera, underscored his pivotal role in shaping the country’s political landscape. However, his tenure was not without controversy, as he faced allegations of corruption, which were later dropped by prosecutors.
As Malawi grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the legacy of Vice President Saulos Chilima remains indelibly etched in the annals of the nation’s history, leaving behind a void that will be deeply felt for years to come.
