BLANTYRE, Malawi, June 11, (AP): Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other people died when the small military plane they were traveling in crashed in bad weather in a mountainous region in the north of the country, the president said Tuesday. Chilima was 51.
President Lazarus Chakwera announced in a live address on state television that the wreckage of the plane had been located after a search of more than a day in thick forests and hilly terrain near the northern city of Mzuzu. He said the wreckage was found near a hill and the plane had been "completely destroyed" and everyone onboard was killed on impact.
Chakwera said he had been informed by the head of Malawi's armed forces that the plane had been found and "I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy.”
"Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is and I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be feeling at this time, as well as how much pain and anguish you all will be feeling in the coming days and weeks as we mourn this terrible loss," Chakwera said.
He said Chilima was "a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction, and a formidable vice president.”
Chakwera asked everyone to observe a moment's silence and stood with his head bowed at the podium where he was making his address.
Former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, the ex-wife of former president Bakili Muluzi, was also on the plane, the president had said. There were seven passengers and three military crew members onboard.