US offers condolences to Malawi for deaths of officials in aircraft crash

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US offered condolence to Malawi on Tuesday following a deadly aircraft crash that killed 10 victims, including Vice President Saulos Chilima.

"Saddened to learn an aircraft carrying Malawian VP Chilima and nine others has crashed," US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan wrote on X. "The United States offers our deepest condolences, stands by Malawi during this difficult time, and will continue to offer our resolute support in search and recovery operations.”

Chilima and nine others on board a military aircraft that went missing early Monday have all died, President Lazarus Chakwera announced.

Chakwera told the nation Tuesday that the aircraft had crashed in a heavily forested area of Chikangawa in the northern city of Mzuzu on its way back to Lilongwe after it had failed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport due to poor visibility.

Former first lady Shanil Muluzi is among the dead.