Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera says that the arrangements for the funeral of Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others will be announced in due course.

The military aircraft carrying Dr. Chilima and others, including former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, crashed in the Chikangawa Forest Reserve in the northern region of the country on Monday.

Following a search and rescue operation, all passengers were confirmed dead.

While extensive investigations into the crash are underway, President Chakwera states that the aircraft had been successfully operated just hours before the incident, with no faults detected. He also mentions that he himself had used the same aircraft for similar missions in the past.

President Chakwera further explains that despite the crew's experience and the aircraft's track record, something terrible went wrong on its way to Lilongwe, resulting in the tragic crash.

Dr. Chilima, an economist by training, had been in the position since 2014.

President Chakwera describes him as a formidable vice president and expresses his deep appreciation for having had the late Chilima as his deputy and counsellor for the past four years.

The Malawian government has made additional arrangements to transport the victims' remains to Lilongwe.