In a somber update from Malawi, the military has confirmed the discovery of the crashed aircraft that was transporting Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other individuals.
The plane had been reported missing amidst adverse weather conditions.
The ill-fated military aircraft, which was en route to Mzuzu but redirected back to Lilongwe due to poor visibility, was found without any survivors.
Images released by the military rescue team depict a grim scene of army personnel amidst the wreckage, identifiable by the Malawi Army Air Wing’s Dornier 228-202K registration.
President Lazarus Chakwera is set to address the nation following this tragedy.
The fate of the passengers remained uncertain until the military’s confirmation today.
Search efforts intensified on Tuesday in a dense, fog-laden forest after the plane’s last known transmission was traced. General Paul Valentino Phiri, the army commander, acknowledged the international aid received in the search, including helicopters and drones from neighboring countries.
The delegation, including Malawi’s former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, had departed from Lilongwe at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) on Monday for a funeral in Mzuzu, located 370 kilometers away.
Vice President Chilima, a figure beloved by the youth for his charisma and candidness, had been reinstalled in his duties just last month after a court dismissed corruption charges against him.
His loss is deeply felt across the nation.
