Wreckage of missing Malawi VP’s plane found with no survivor - Military
Search teams in Malawi have located the wreckage of a plane that was carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima, according to a military source on Tuesday. The discovery came a day after the aircraft went missing amid adverse weather conditions. The military aircraft, which had Chilima, aged 51, and nine others onboard, vanished on Monday when it was unable to land at Mzuzu due to poor visibility. The plane was redirected back to the capital, Lilongwe, but sadly, there were no survivors found at the crash site.
Photos provided to Nigerianwatch by a military rescue team member depict army personnel at the site of the crash on a mist-covered hillside, next to debris identified by the registration number of the Malawi Army Air Wing Dornier 228-202K aircraft. President Lazarus Chakwera is scheduled to make a national address. The status of any additional survivors was not immediately known.
On Tuesday, rescue operations focused on a foggy forest south of Mzuzu, following the location of the last tower signal before the disappearance of the plane. Army commander General Paul Valentino Phiri noted that the search efforts were supported by international assistance, including helicopters and drones from neighboring countries.
The ill-fated journey began from Lilongwe at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) on Monday, with the group heading to Mzuzu to attend the funeral of a former cabinet minister, a journey of approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles). Also among the passengers was Malawi’s former first lady, Shanil Dzimbiri.
Chilima, first elected vice president in 2014, is a popular figure in Malawi, especially among the youth. Known for his charismatic and assertive demeanor, he faced legal challenges in 2022 when he was temporarily stripped of his duties following allegations of corruption related to a bribery case involving a British-Malawian businessman. However, the charges were dismissed last month, allowing him to resume his official responsibilities.
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