Six people have died after the minbus they were travelling in lost control and fell into a gorge at Chiweta Hills which is along the M1 road in Rumphi.
According Rumphi Police Publicist, Noel Kamchenga, four passengers died on the spot, one was pronounced dead upon arrival at Rumphi District hospital and the other died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Upon arrival at Kesha area, the driver failed to control the vehicle and it started rolling backwards and went to the nearside where it overturned several times before it fell into a gorge,” he said.
Meanwhile, one passenger is admitted to Rumphi District Hospital while the driver, the conductor and nine other passengers have been treated as outpatients at Jalawe Health Centre and Rumphi district hospital.
Condolences are still pouring in following the announcement of the tragic death of Malawi’s Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima and eight others who died in a Malawi Defence Force (MDF) aircraft crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba district.
Different people in the entertainment world have been sending their condolences to the people of Malawi and the families of the deceased for the untimely death.
Wodemaya
Below are some of the posts of different celebrities on Social Media
Popular Zambian musician Yo Maps
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the people of Malawi! 🇲🇼 😔 May God comfort you during this trying time 🙏🏾🙏🙏”
Ugandan Comedian Teacher Mpamire
“Nkhani zomvetsa chisoni 😢 It is with great sadness that I learned of the tragic passing of the Right Honourable Saulos Klaus Chilima,Vice President of People’s Republic of Malawi Plus 9 other people .On behalf of The Uganda Comedians Association Ndikutumiza chipepeso chathu chachikulu kwa mabanja ndi anthu a Malawi pa nthawi yovutayi. Mizimu yawo iyise mu Mtendere Wamuyaya.”
Popular Ghanaian Blogger Wodemaya
“May Their Souls Rest In Peace 🪦 Our Deepest Condolence To The People Of Malawi 🇲🇼”
Rapper and UTM Member Fredokiss
“Yes we are Men, but today, we have cried like kids 💔”
Media Personality Ian Simbota
“😭😭😭😭😭 💔💔💔 Aaaaah nooo There are no befitting words that can express what has happened. This is very sad. Am so heartbroken.”
Chilima died alongside former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, Lukas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Dan Kanyemba, Abdul Lapukeni, Colonel Sambalopa, Major Wales Aidin and Major Flora Selemani.
President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera has described his Vice late Dr. Saulos Chilima as a distinctive man of honour, a great father and husband, as well as a great patriot who served Malawi selflessly.
Chakwera said this during a nation address on Tuesday June 11,2024 at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe when he was announcing the death of Chilima and nine others who died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba.
“I consider it one of my greatest honour to be deputised by him in the last four years,” he said
Chakwera
President Chakwera conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died in the crash, and the entire nation.
“I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be having at this point in time,” the President said.
Chakwera extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Malawi Defence Force and all parties involved in the search and rescue mission.
He also extended his gratitude to all former Heads of State for the support they have pledged during these trying times.
Among other individuals who were in the plane include Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Shanil Dzimbiri, Dan Kanyemba and Abdul Lapukeni, whom the president described as great men and women of the nation and their death is a great loss to the people of Malawi.
Vice-President Chilima had been enroute to Mzuzu from Lilongwe, with plans to proceed to Nkhata Bay for a funeral ceremony of the late Ralph Kasambara.
Unfortunately, bad weather forced the plane, MDF aircraft, to attempt a return to Kamuzu International Airport(KIA) in Lilongwe, during which communication was lost and the aircraft crashed.
Following a search and rescue operation, the wreckage was found in Chikangawa Forest, and it was confirmed that there were no survivors.
The bodies of the deceased have now been transported to Lilongwe, and the nation is awaiting further information on funeral arrangements.
Saulos Chilima, who also served as president of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) party, was known for his previous affiliation with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and contested in the 2019 elections as a presidential candidate.
After legal challenges, the 2019 elections were nullified, and Chilima formed an electoral alliance with the Malawi Congress Party(MCP) together with other parties.
President Lazarus Chakwera has addressed the nation where he has confirmed the sad news that Vice President Saulos Chilima has died together with 9 others when their plane crash landed in Chikangawa Forest.
Social media was awash with unverified pictures circulating on social media show a wreckage of a plane with the same number as that was quoted in Chakwera’s statement issued yesterday.
In his address to the nation, Chakwera said the wreckage of the plane that carried the Vice President and nine others has been found with no survivors.
President Chakwera conveyed his condolences to the families of those who have died in the crash, and the entire nation.
“I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be having at this point in time,” the President said.
Chakwera described Chilima as a distinctive man of honour, a great father and husband, as well as a great patriot who has served the nation selflessly.
“I consider it one of my greatest honour to be deputised by him in the last four years,” he said.
Other individuals in the plane were Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Shanil Dzimbiri, Dan Kanyemba, Abdul Lapukeni, Colonel Sambalopa, Major Selemani and Major Aidin, whom the president described as great men and women of the nation and their death is a great loss to the people of Malawi.
Chakwera extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Malawi Defence Force and all parties involved in the search and rescue mission. He also extended his gratitude to all former Heads of State for the support they have pledged during these trying times.
Part of the wreckageFormer First Lady Patricia Dzimbiri( formerly Muluzi) among the dead
As the search intensifies for the missing plane carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has called for nationwide prayers to seek divine intervention in finding the missing aircraft.
In a statement released by Reverend Brian Kamwendo, the Special Advisor to the President of Religious Affairs, Malawians are urged to come together in prayer through their respective religious and community structures.
The call for prayer comes as efforts to locate the missing plane are ongoing and Malawians continue to question the parameters of the search efforts.
Chakwera
Chakwera has emphasized the importance of seeking God’s guidance and protection during this challenging time saying prayers secretariats have been tasked with coordinating and providing guidance for the special prayer sessions that are expected to take place across the country.
“The nation remains devastated on the whereabouts of the country’s veep as it unites in hope and faith as the search for the missing Vice President and other passengers continues, with prayer,” reads the statement.
The plane carrying Chilima went missing yesterday.
