In a tragic incident, Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others lost their lives in a plane crash. The aircraft, which had gone missing on June 10, was discovered in a mountainous forest region in northern Malawi, as confirmed by President Lazarus Chakwera in a televised address.

President Chakwera announced the grim discovery, stating that rescue teams found the wreckage with no survivors. The search for the plane had been underway since it vanished from radar shortly after departing from Lilongwe, the capital, en route to Mzuzu.

Read more: Search Efforts To Locate Missing Aircraft Of Malawi’s Vice President

Malawi Defense Force Commander Paul Valentino Phiri had earlier indicated that the plane was believed to have crashed in the dense Chikangawa forests. The challenging terrain and heavy fog significantly impeded rescue operations.

The ill-fated flight was carrying Vice President Chilima along with nine other passengers. The last known position of the plane, as recorded by telecommunications towers, was approximately 10 kilometers into the forest, guiding the focused search efforts in that area.

In response to the tragedy, President Chakwera canceled his planned trip to the Bahamas and addressed the nation, expressing deep sorrow and commitment to the search efforts. “This is a heartbreaking situation, but I assure you that every possible effort is being made to locate the aircraft and all individuals on board,” he stated.

The president also revealed that Malawi had sought assistance from neighboring countries, as well as the United States and the United Kingdom, to aid in the search and recovery mission.

This tragic event marks a significant loss for Malawi, as the nation mourns the death of its Vice President and the others who perished in the crash.