- The Malawian Defence Force said the aircraft 'went off radar' after it left Lilongwe on Monday morning.
- On Tuesday, President Chakwera broke the sad news saying the aircraft was found crashed on a hill and completely destroyed and no one survived.
Image: SAULOS CHILIMA/X
Various leaders have sent condolences to the people of Malawi following the tragic demise of Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others in a plane crash.
Among them is Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) boss Raila Odinga who had this to say via his X handle.
"We join the people of Malawi and the whole of Africa in mourning the tragic death of the Vice President of Malawi Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others in a plane crash yesterday. Pole sana president Lazarus Chakwera and the people of Malawi for this tragic loss."
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also sent his condolences to the people of Malawi with a special message to President lazarus Chakwera.
"Mr President and Dear Brother, I was deeply moved and saddened by the news of the tragic passing of Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine souls who were onboard a military aircraft. From all accounts, Dr Chilima was an exceptional statesman, highly respected economist, and advocate for public sector reforms," he said.
"On behalf of my family and the the Wiper Party, I would like, on this sad occasion, to extend to the people of Malawi and the family of Dr Chilima, my most sincere sympathy. May God rest the souls of the fallen in eternal peace."
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan also sent her condolences.
"It is with great sadness that I have received the news of the tragic demise of the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, the Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima," she said in a statement.
"On behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania, I convey our deepest condolences to His Excellency President Lazarus Chakwera and the people of the Republic of Malawi, family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. Amen."
South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters Movement aired their condolences as well.
"The EFF sends it’s condolences to the people of Malawi on the tragic passing of their Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, and nine other citizens in a plane crash. May their souls rest in peace."
The African Union (AU) chairperson Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani also conveyed his condolences through the union.
"The chairperson extends his most sincere condolences to the bereaved families, and the government and the people of Malawi at this great national loss.
"The AU is in strong solidarity with President Lazarus, the government and the people of Malawi during this difficult time with prayers for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed," the statement read.
Chilima died on Monday alongside nine others on board a Malawi military aircraft.
The Malawian Defence Force said the aircraft 'went off radar' after it left Lilongwe on Monday morning.
“All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the Aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far,” secretary to the Office of President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, said.
Zamba said the plane, which left the capital Lilongwe at 9.17am, failed to make its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport at 10.02am Monday.
She said the plane, however, failed to land as scheduled and efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the aircraft failed.
On Tuesday, President Chakwera broke the sad news saying the aircraft was found crashed on a hill and completely destroyed and no one survived.
Chilima was born on February 12, 1973.
He was first sworn in as Vice President of the Republic of Malawi on May 30, 2014.
On June 28, 2020, he took the oath of office for his second term.
Chilima was the first Malawian to head Airtel Malawi, the leading mobile telecommunications company in the southern African country.
Before venturing into telecommunications, he held senior sales marketing positions in the banking sector and the fast-moving consumer goods sector namely the Leasing and Finance Company, Unilever Malawi, Coca-Cola and Carlsberg.
Chilima was married and leaves behind two children.