Chakwera made this known after the wreckage of the plane conveying the Vice President, Chilima was found in Chikangawa forest
By Kehinde Okeowo
President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera has confirmed the death of his Vice, Saulos Chilima, describing it as a “terrible tragedy”
He made this known while addressing a press conference, after the wreckage of the plane conveying the Vice President was found in Chikangawa forest..
The president went on to confirm that his deputy was killed alongside nine other passengers in a plane crash.
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He further said the aircraft was initially declared missing after it failed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport, about 380 km (240 miles) to the north of the capital Lilongwe after taking off.
“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.
Prior to the president’s statement, several media outlets had reported that the ill fated plane carrying the Vice President and nine others disappeared off the radar on Monday.
A statement from the President’s office confirming the report said the Malawi Defense Force aircraft “went off the radar”
According to BBC, the President later ordered a search and rescue operation after aviation officials were unable to contact the aircraft.