Africa: Malawi Vice President and Nine Others Die in Aviation Tragedy
Lilongwe, 11th June 2024: The vice president of Malawi and nine others tragically lost their lives in an aviation accident, as announced by the country’s president on Tuesday.
The wreckage of a military aircraft, transporting Vice President Saulos Chilima, was discovered in a remote, mountainous area in the northern region of Malawi following an extensive search effort spanning over a day.
In a televised address, President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the absence of any survivors from the crash.
Efforts to locate the missing military plane, carrying Vice President Chilima, former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, and eight other individuals, intensified on Tuesday. Suspected to have crashed in a densely forested, mountainous area during its intended route from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, the search involved hundreds of soldiers, police officers, and forest rangers.
President Chakwera disclosed that adverse weather conditions prompted air traffic controllers to advise against the aircraft’s landing at Mzuzu’s airport, directing it back to Lilongwe. Subsequently, contact with the plane was lost, and it vanished from radar.
The aircraft, a small propeller-driven plane operated by the Malawian armed forces, carried seven passengers and three military crew members. Its tail number indicated it to be a Dornier 228-type twin-propeller plane, acquired by the Malawian army in 1988.
Over 600 personnel, including police officers, soldiers, and local forest rangers, mobilized for the search operation in the Viphya Mountains near Mzuzu. The challenging terrain, characterized by dense forests and hilly landscapes, posed significant obstacles to the search efforts.
General Valentino Phiri, the commander of the Malawian armed forces, emphasized the arduous nature of the search operation due to the rugged terrain.
President Chakwera reassured the nation of ongoing search operations, utilizing telecommunications infrastructure to pinpoint the last known location of the aircraft. International assistance from the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Israel, including specialized technologies, was enlisted to expedite the search efforts.
The U.S. Embassy in Malawi extended support, offering the utilization of a Department of Defense small C-12 plane. Additionally, neighboring countries Zambia and Tanzania were approached for assistance, with helicopters and additional drones en route.
Criticism from officials within Vice President Chilima’s United Transformation Movement highlighted concerns regarding the government’s response time and the absence of a transponder on the aircraft.
President Chakwera expressed condolences for the passengers, including Shanil Dzimbiri, the former first lady and ex-wife of former President Bakili Muluzi. The group was en route to attend a funeral ceremony for a former government minister.
Calling for national prayers, President Chakwera urged solidarity for the families of those onboard the ill-fated flight.
Vice President Chilima, serving his second term, previously faced corruption allegations, which were recently dropped by prosecutors. His involvement in Malawi’s political landscape, including the historic 2020 election rerun alongside President Chakwera, marked significant developments in the country’s democratic journey.
