Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has confirmed the death of Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima in the crash of a military aircraft, that went missing on Monday. Chilima and 9 other passengers on board were killed on impact.
The aircraft went missing after it failed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport, about 380 km (240 miles) to the north of the capital Lilongwe. The wreckage of the plane has been located, Chakwera said in an address to the nation.
“The search and rescue operation I ordered to find the missing plane that carried our vice president and nine others has been completed. The plane has been found. And I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy,” Chakwera said.
Soldiers had been searching Chikangawa Forest overnight and into the morning in an effort to find the plane.
The vice-president and president come from different parties but the two teamed up to form an alliance during the 2020 elections.
Mr Chakwera paid tribute to Dr Chilima, describing him as “a good man”, “devoted father” and “formidable VP”.
“I consider it one of the great honours of my life to have had him as a deputy and as a counsellor,” he added.
Dr Chilima, 51, was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who died four days ago.
Former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri was also on the flight, which took off from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.
It was meant to land at the airport in the northern city of Mzuzu, but was turned back because of poor visibility.
The military is transporting the remains of Dr Chilima and the other victims to Lilongwe, the president said, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Dr Chilima had been vice-president of Malawi since 2014.
He was widely loved in Malawi, particularly among the youth, AFP news agency reports.
However, Dr Chilima was arrested and charged in 2022 on allegations that he accepted money in exchange for awarding government contracts.
He denied any wrongdoing.
Last month, the court dropped the charges, giving no reasons for the decision.
Dr Chilima is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children, Sean and Elizabeth. BBC News
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