Malawi President, Chakwera confirms death of VP in plane crash

The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday confirmed the death of his Vice, Saulos Chilima.

Chakwera said his deputy was killed alongside nine other passengers in a plane crash.

Addressing a press conference, the President said the aircraft carrying his deputy went missing after it failed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport, about 380 km (240 miles) to the north of the capital Lilongwe, adding that the plane’s wreckage has been located.

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.

A plane carrying Chilima and nine others disappeared off the radar on Monday.

The plane reportedly crash landed in Chikangawa forest.

A statement from the President’s office said the Malawi Defense Force aircraft “went off the radar” after it left the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.

According to BBC, the President ordered a search and rescue operation after aviation officials were unable to contact the aircraft.

It was supposed to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the country’s north, just after 10:00 local time (11:00 BST)