Malawi is in mourning following the tragic death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and nine others, including his wife, in a plane crash in the Chikangawa mountain range. The government confirmed the crash on Tuesday, declaring a national day of mourning as search and rescue operations continue.
The ill-fated military aircraft, a Dornier 228-type twin propeller plane, took off from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning. It was en route to Mzuzu for the funeral of the former attorney general but encountered poor visibility conditions. Air traffic controllers advised the pilot to return to Lilongwe, but contact with the plane was lost shortly after.
"Unfortunately, all on board have perished in the crash," stated the Office of the President and Cabinet. The wreckage was located after an extensive search in the mountainous region of northern Malawi. The passengers included seven military officers and another civilian.
President Lazarus Chakwera expressed his deep sorrow in a televised address, emphasizing the ongoing search efforts. "I know this is a heartbreaking situation, and we are all frightened and concerned," he said. The President canceled his planned trip to the Bahamas to oversee the search and rescue operations personally.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the nation, as Dr. Chilima was a significant political figure and considered a potential contender for next year's presidential election. His political career, however, was marred by controversy, including his 2022 arrest on graft allegations. These charges were dropped only last month.
The United States and several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Norway, and Israel, have offered technological support to aid the search efforts. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe released a statement expressing deep concern and offering all available assistance, including a Defense C-12 aircraft.
Cornell College President Jonathan Brand confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the college is in contact with the injured instructors and is assisting them during this difficult time. He emphasized that no students were involved in the program.
Footage of the aftermath, initially posted on Chinese social media but swiftly censored, showed two men and a woman lying on the ground with visible blood stains, surrounded by onlookers. They appeared conscious and were using their cell phones. CNN geolocated the video to Beishan Park.
China's Foreign Ministry confirmed the attack and assured that the incident was isolated. "The police initially determined that the case was an isolated incident and are currently under further investigation," said ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
Among the injured was David Zabner, a doctoral student at Tufts University in the U.S., who was in China under the Cornell-Beihua relationship. Iowa state representative Adam Zabner, David's brother, expressed relief that his sibling was recovering. "I spoke to David a few minutes ago, he is recovering from his injuries and doing well," Rep. Zabner told CNN.
The U.S. State Department acknowledged the incident and is monitoring the situation. "We are aware of reports of a stabbing incident in China and are closely monitoring the situation," stated a department spokesperson.
The attack comes at a time when China is actively seeking to attract international visitors and boost educational exchanges following three years of stringent COVID-19 border controls. The incident, however, casts a shadow over these efforts, especially given the current geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S.
In response to the attack, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called it a "horrifying attack," while Rep. Ashley Hinson vowed to ensure the safe return of the injured Iowans. "We will do everything in our power to bring these Iowans home safely," Hinson said.
On China's tightly controlled social media, discussions about the incident were quickly censored, with some users expressing concerns about its potential impact on China's international image. Despite this, the Chinese Foreign Ministry sought to reassure that the incident would not affect educational exchanges between China and the U.S. "China is widely recognized as one of the safest countries in the world," said spokesperson Lin Jian.
Cornell College's partnership with Beihua University, established in 2018, allows U.S. professors to teach in China. This collaboration is part of broader efforts to foster educational ties between the two countries, despite the recent challenges posed by the pandemic and bilateral tensions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently emphasized the importance of such exchanges, announcing plans to invite 50,000 young Americans to China over the next five years. This initiative aims to strengthen personal ties and mutual understanding between the two nations.
While China has one of the lowest rates of violent crime globally, it has experienced a number of public stabbings in recent years. The Jilin incident underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of foreign nationals as China continues to navigate its complex relationship with the international community.
