Overview of the Incident

On June 10, 2024, a military aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others, including former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, tragically disappeared. The plane, a Dornier 228-202K with registration MAF-T03, was en route from the capital city of Lilongwe to Mzuzu International Airport. Despite the flight’s short expected duration of 45 minutes, adverse weather conditions led to poor visibility, prompting air traffic control at Mzuzu to advise the aircraft to turn around. Tragically, communication with the plane was lost shortly thereafter, and it vanished from radar.

Search and Rescue Efforts

Following the disappearance, President Lazarus Chakwera immediately mobilized multiple agencies, including the Malawi Defense Force, the Police Service, and the Department of Civil Aviation, to launch a comprehensive search and rescue operation. Unfortunately, after a relentless 24-hour search, the wreckage was located in a mountainous area in the north of the country, confirming the worst fears as there were no survivors. President Chakwera, in a national broadcast, expressed his deep sorrow and extended his condolences, emphasizing that the nation had suffered a great loss.

National Response and Mourning

The news of the tragic accident has led to a national outpouring of grief. Citizens, regional leaders, and international figures have sent their condolences. This event has not only left a void in the political landscape of Malawi but also highlighted the inherent risks associated with air travel in adverse weather conditions. The President remarked on the fragility of life and the importance of community support during such devastating times. Moving forward, there is a call for thorough investigations to prevent such tragedies in the future and to ensure the safety of air travel in Malawi.

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