BLANTYRE, Malawi — The Malawi government said Wednesday that Vice President Saulos Chilima will be honored with a state funeral after he died in a plane crash along with eight other people.
President Lazarus Chakwera had already announced 21 days of national mourning on Tuesday, when the wreckage of the small military plane carrying Chilima and a former first lady was discovered in a mountainous area in the country’s north. Flags will fly at half-staff across the southern African nation during the period of mourning.
Chakwera has appointed a ministerial committee to oversee preparations for Chilima’s state funeral, the government said in a statement. No date was announced.
Chakwera previously said that there were 10 people on the plane but the government now says that a total of nine were on board when it crashed.
Everyone was killed on impact when the twin propellor aircraft went down in a hilly, forested area in bad weather, the president said. The victims included former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, the ex-wife of former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi. Six passengers and three military crew members were killed.
The plane was carrying Chilima and members of his staff on a short flight from the capital, Lilongwe, to the northern city of Mzuzu to attend a funeral of a former government minister when it went missing Monday morning. The president said that air traffic controllers had told the plane not to land in Mzuzu because of bad weather and poor visibility and to return to Lilongwe. Air traffic controllers then lost contact with the plane and it disappeared from radar.
Hundreds of soldiers, police officers and forest rangers searched for more than 24 hours before the wreckage was discovered in a forest plantation south of Mzuzu.
The remains of the victims were brought back to Lilongwe on a Zambian Air Force helicopter on Tuesday night, when officials and mourners including Chakwera and Chilima’s wife, Mary, gathered at an airport. The bodies of Chilima and the others were transported from the airport in ambulances as soldiers lined the tarmac and saluted.
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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
Malawi is currently in a state of mourning following the tragic death of Vice President Saulos Chilima in a plane crash. The government has declared 21 days of mourning to honor the life and legacy of the beloved leader.
Chilima was traveling to attend a political rally in the northern region of Malawi when the plane he was on crashed shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that it may have been due to mechanical failure.
Chilima was a highly respected figure in Malawi, known for his dedication to public service and his commitment to improving the lives of the Malawian people. He was instrumental in implementing various social and economic reforms during his time in office, and his death has left a void in the country’s leadership.
The declaration of 21 days of mourning is a somber reminder of the impact that Chilima had on the nation. During this period, flags will be flown at half-mast, and all official government functions will be suspended as a mark of respect for the late Vice President.
The people of Malawi are coming together to mourn the loss of Chilima and to pay tribute to his contributions to the country. Condolences have been pouring in from around the world, with leaders and citizens alike expressing their sorrow at the tragic news.
As Malawi mourns the loss of Vice President Chilima, the country is faced with the challenge of moving forward without one of its most prominent leaders. The government has assured the public that it will continue to work towards fulfilling Chilima’s vision for a better Malawi, and that his legacy will not be forgotten.
The 21 days of mourning serve as a time for reflection and remembrance, as Malawians come together to honor the life and legacy of Vice President Saulos Chilima. May he rest in peace.
