Pilot News earlier reported that the plane, a Malawi Defence Force aircraft, they boarded “went off the radar” after taking off from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday at 9:17 a.m. local time.
The plane was expected to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the country’s north, at 10:02 a.m. local time. However, air traffic control instructed the pilot to turn around due to bad weather and poor visibility. The aircraft disappeared from the radar shortly after.
In response, President Lazarus Chakwera ordered a search operation, and on Tuesday, he revealed the outcome of the operation.
“The missing plane that carried our vice president and nine others has been completed. The plane has been found. And I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy,” Chakwera said
The Malawian leader disclosed that the aircraft was found “completely destroyed” near a hill in the Chikangawa Forest in northern Malawi, adding that “words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is.”
The nation of Malawi is in shock and mourning, with President Chakwera expressing his deep condolences to the families of the victims and declaring a period of national mourning.
The vice president and nine other victims will all be laid to rest in “a dignified manner”, Chakwera said, adding that an effort is already underway to transport their remains to the capital city, Lilongwe.
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