By Fatou Sillah
In a somber announcement, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi revealed the tragic loss of Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine companions in a devastating plane crash.
“I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy. The search and rescue team has found the aircraft near a hill in the Chikangawa forest, and they found it completely destroyed, with no survivors, as all passengers on board were killed on impact.
“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. I also know that going through a terrible loss like this makes us feel helpless and lost, as death has a way of reminding us that we do not have control over so many things that affect our lives and those we love. We feel helpless because we know that the people who perished in this,” the President said.
Reflecting on the aircraft’s history of safe operation, President Chakwera grappled with the inexplicable turn of events that led to the fatal crash
“the tragic and terrible accident could have been any one of us, and we feel helpless because a day like today reminds us that one day and any day death will in fact come for each one of us, and we will be powerless to stop it.
“That aircraft is an aircraft I myself have used on similar trips, an aircraft that others had used just the day before, and an aircraft that the crew had operated successfully just hours before.
“And yet despite the track record of the aircraft and the experience of the crew, something terrible went wrong with that aircraft on its flight back to Lilongwe, sending it crashing down and killing everyone on board and leaving us all devastated and asking ourselves questions whose answers cannot take away the pain and helplessness we feel from this loss,” he said.
Acknowledging the natural inclination towards anger and confusion, President Chakwera urged unity in grief and mutual support during the difficult days ahead.
“I know that it is natural for the pain and helplessness this tragedy causes to make us feel angry because we feel hurt and wounded, and I want you to know that I understand these feelings because I feel them too. So, because we are all feeling these things, it is important that we comfort each other now and in the weeks to come as we mourn together, He said.