In a tragic turn of events, Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, and nine other individuals, including the former first lady, have been confirmed dead after their military aircraft crashed amid bad weather in a rugged mountainous region. President Lazarus Chakwera announced the heartbreaking news during a live national broadcast, revealing that the small military plane had been completely destroyed upon impact.
Crash Details and Immediate Response
The aircraft, a Dornier 228 operated by the Malawian armed forces, encountered severe weather conditions which prompted air traffic controllers at Mzuzu’s airport to advise against landing. Unfortunately, after the plane was instructed to return to Lilongwe, it lost contact and disappeared from radar. This initiated a massive search effort involving 600 personnel, including 300 police officers and 200 soldiers, in the Viphya Mountains near Mzuzu.
President Chakwera detailed that the plane had been missing for over a day before its wreckage was discovered near a hill in the thick forests and hilly terrain. The extensive search operation saw contributions from multiple countries, with the U.S., the U.K., Norway, and Israel providing specialized technological assistance.
Vice President Chilima was traveling to Mzuzu to attend the funeral of a former government minister and had just returned from an official visit to South Korea two days prior. His death is not just a personal tragedy but a significant political loss for Malawi. Chilima, who was serving his second term as vice president, played a crucial role in Malawi’s political sphere, especially noted for his participation in the historic 2020 election rerun. This election marked the first time in Africa an election result overturned by a court led to the defeat of a sitting president.
In his address, President Chakwera praised Chilima as “a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction, and a formidable vice president.” He requested the nation to observe a moment of silence, acknowledging the profound impact of the loss on the country.
Critiques and Safety Concerns
The tragedy has sparked a wave of criticism towards the government’s preparedness and response to such critical emergencies. Questions have been raised about the absence of a transponder on a plane carrying high-level officials. This incident has highlighted potential gaps in safety protocols within Malawi’s transportation and emergency response frameworks.
The international community has shown solidarity with Malawi during this difficult time. Also, the U.S. Embassy confirmed its involvement, noting the deployment of a Department of Defense small C-12 plane to aid in the search. Moreover, the global response underscores the diplomatic ties and the supportive stance of international partners towards Malawi in times of crisis.
Source: New Zimbabwe
