Harare, (New Ziana) -Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has confirmed the death of his deputy, Saulos Chilima, who perished along with nine others in a plane crash on Monday.

The aircraft went missing after it failed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport, about 380 km to the north of the capital Lilongwe.

In a statement on Tuesday, President Chakwera said the wreckage of the plane had been located without any survivors.

“Fellow Malawians, the Malawi Defence Force Commander has informed me that the search and rescue operation I ordered to find the missing plane that carried our Vice President and nine others has been completed and the plane has been found. And I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy,” he said.

“The search and rescue team has found the aircraft near a hill in the Chikangawa forest, and they found it completely destroyed, with no survivors, as all passengers on board were killed on impact.”

Chakwera described the incident as a terrible loss, saying it makes people feel helpless and lost.

He said the late 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 commended the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander Phiri and his team for working through the night under difficult weather conditions to find the remains of the late Vice President.

He said the MDF was in the process of bringing the remains of the deceased to the Capital, and later his office would announce the arrangements that have been made for laying the late VP.

The late Chilima was born on 12th February 1973 and was a Ngoni from Ntcheu District in Central Malawi.

He was married to Mary and they have two children together.

New Ziana