STORY: Foreign experts to help investigate Malawi's plane crash: president
SHOOTING TIME: June 17, 2024
DATELINE: June 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:06
LOCATION: Lilongwe
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of people mourning
2. various of people mourning
3. SOUNDBITE (Chichewa): LAZARUS CHAKWERA, Malawian President
4. various of people mourning

STORYLINE:

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera announced on Sunday that his government has enlisted international assistance to investigate the plane crash that took the lives of the country's Vice President Saulos Chilima and other officials on June 10.

Speaking at a state funeral ceremony held at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, Chakwera revealed that local military experts had initiated a preliminary investigation.

However, the president emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive investigation to address lingering questions among Malawians and himself.

SOUNDBITE (Chichewa): LAZARUS CHAKWERA, Malawian President
"In our tears, there is a prayer that we should know what delayed investigation about the plane. God please help us. In our tears, there is a prayer of consolation at this time of mourning. God please be with us. I want to assure you Malawians today that this plane crash will be investigated."
   
The government has urged peaceful mourning amid some tensions arising from circulating conspiracy theories.

The military aircraft crashed near Mzuzu City in northern Malawi due to adverse weather conditions. The incident happened shortly after the plane aborted a landing attempt at the city's airport and was en route back to Lilongwe.

On Monday, Chilima's remains were laid to rest in his hometown village in Ntcheu district, located approximately 165 km south of Lilongwe.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lilongwe.
(XHTV)