Johannesburg – The missing aircraft carrying the Malawi Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and nine others has been found in the Chikangawa Forest and there were no survivors.
The Office of the President and Cabinet said in a statement Tuesday: “The aircraft which was carrying the Vice President, the Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, and nine others was found this morning in the Chikangawa Forest”.
The statement added: “Unfortunately, all on board have perished in the crash.
“The search and rescue operation which was launched immediately after the aircraft went off the radar, has been conducted by various agencies including the Malawi Defense Forces, the Police Service, and the Department of Civil Aviation.
“His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi has been informed of the tragic outcome and has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the vice president and all those who have lost their lives in this tragic incident,” the statement said.
“The president has declared a national day of mourning and has ordered that all flags fly at half-mast from today until the day of the funeral.”
However, the Office of the President and Cabinet may have jumped the gun by releasing the statement announcing the tragic development before the President’s official announcement.
President Dr. Chakwera was expected to announce the update on the missing aircraft at noon.
