Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera announced on Tuesday that vice president, Saulos Chilima was among the 10 people killed when a small military plane crashed in a mountainous region in the north of the country.
He announced in a live address on state television that the wreckage of the plane had been located after a search of more than a day in thick forests and hilly terrain near the northern city of Mzuzu. Chakwera said there were no survivors of the crash.
The plane had Former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, seven passengers and three military crew members onboard.
The group was traveling to Mzuzu to attend the funeral of a former government minister.
Chilima was 51. He was serving his second term as vice president.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera said the Malawi Defence Force is in the process of bringing the remains of the deceased to the Capital, Lilongwe and that he will announce arrangements in due course.