Lazarus Chakwera, the President of Malawi has confirmed the death of his Vice, Sailos Chilima.
Chakwera had revealed on Tuesday that his deputy was killed together with nine others in a plane crash.
The President had while speaking at a press conference revealed that the plane’s wreckage had been found after it went missing while carrying his deputy.
The aircraft was supposed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport, situated north of Lilongwe, on Monday, before tragedy struck.
According to reports, the plane reportedly crash landed in Chikangawa forest.
The BBC had on Monday, reported that the President ordered a search and rescue operation after aviation officials were unable to contact the aircraft.
The late Chilima, who was aged 51 at the time of his death had been travelling to represent the Federal government at the burial of former government minister, Ralph Kasambara, who died four days ago.
A former First Lady, Shanil Dzimbiri, was also on the ill-fated flight, which took off from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.
At the time of filing this report, the military has transported the remains of Dr Chiima and the other flight passengers to Lilongwe.
Their funereal arrangements will be announced in due course.
Chilima had been vice-president of Malawi since 2014.
What They’re Saying
During the press conference, President Chakwera was quoted to have said;
“The search and rescue operation I directed to find the missing plane that carried our vice president and nine others has been completed.
“The plane has [now] been found, and I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy.”
