Malawi's Vice President and nine other individuals were confirmed dead on Tuesday, after their military plane crashed into hilly terrain - destroying the aircraft and killing the passengers on impact.
President Lazarus Chakwera announced that Vice President Saulos Chilima was killed in the crash during a television broadcast. The plane's "completely destroyed" wreckage was by a hill, in a thickly forested area, near the northern city of Mzuzu, the Associated Press reported.
"I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy," Chakwera said. "Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is and I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be feeling at this time, as well as how much pain and anguish you all will be feeling in the coming days and weeks as we mourn this terrible loss."
More than 600 people, including police, soldiers and forest rangers were involved in the recovery effort. Malawi's former first lady, three members of the military and five other passengers were also aboard the plane.
The plane vanished during a 45-minute flight between Malawi's capital Lilongwe and Mzuzu. As weather conditions worsened, air traffic controllers urged the pilot to not attempt a landing at Mzuzu's airport. Shortly afterwards the plane lost contact, according to Chakwera.
Chakwera asked Malawians to observe a moment of silence for Chilima, whom he described as "a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction, and a formidable vice president."
