Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera (L) waits for the arrival of the helicopter carrying the remains of Vice President Saulos Chilima and other victims at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi, June 11, 2024. Malawi has announced a 21-day mourning period for Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash Monday along with eight others onboard the aircraft. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua)
LILONGWE, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Malawi has announced a 21-day mourning period for Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash Monday along with eight others onboard the aircraft.
Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu made the announcement late Tuesday, adding that the remains of the vice president will be accorded state funeral status.
A special committee led by Justice Minister Titus Mvalo will coordinate arrangements for the vice president's funeral, said the minister.
A somber mood has befallen the southern African country as the national flag and all other institutional flags fly at half-mast.
Chilima and his entourage, including former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, were on their way to the funeral of former attorney general and justice minister Ralph Kasambara, when the crash happened due to bad weather, according to authorities. ■
The helicopter carrying the remains of Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and other victims arrives at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi, June 11, 2024. Malawi has announced a 21-day mourning period for Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash Monday along with eight others onboard the aircraft. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua)
An ambulance carrying the remains of Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima is seen at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi, June 11, 2024. Malawi has announced a 21-day mourning period for Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash Monday along with eight others onboard the aircraft. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua)
Mary Chilima (C), wife of Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima waits for the arrival of the helicopter carrying the remains of Chilima and other victims at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi, June 11, 2024. Malawi has announced a 21-day mourning period for Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash Monday along with eight others onboard the aircraft. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua)
