Autopsies Complete as Malawi Prepares to Bury Plane Crash Victims
MDF has instituted an independent board, including a civil aviation representative, to investigate the crash causes.
LILONGWE, Malawi- Autopsies have been conducted on the bodies of the nine victims, including Vice President Saulos Chilima, of Monday's tragic plane crash in Chikangawa Forest, Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu announced Thursday, writes Martin Kamlaike.
Three victims - Chisomo Chimameni, Lukas Kapheni and Daniel Kanyemba - were laid to rest Thursday, while Colonel Owen Sambalopa, Major Wales Aidini, Major Frolence Seleman and Shanil Dzimbiri will be buried Friday in their home districts.
Chilima will be buried Monday in his home area of Ntcheu after a series of memorial events led by President Lazarus Chakwera starting Friday.
Kunkuyu said Thursday that Chakwera will lead Malawians in collecting Chilima's body, whose casket was purchased in South Africa, from the mortuary to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Area 18, Lilongwe for a memorial mass.
The body will then lie in state at Parliament instead of the previously announced venue of Area 12.
A state funeral is planned Sunday at Bingu National Stadium rather than Civo Stadium as initially stated, the minister announced Thursday.
Malawi Defence Force Commander Gen. Paul Valentino Phiri provided more details, saying the crashed Cessna Citation lost contact with Mzuzu Airport at 10:10 a.m. Monday before being located.
Phiri said MDF has instituted an independent board, including a civil aviation representative, to investigate the crash causes.
"MDF will release the report to the government once the investigations are completed, and government will (decide) whether to release it to the public or not," Phiri stated Thursday, pleading for time to conduct a thorough investigation.