By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, August 21, Mana: Two people have died and one has survived in Nkhotakota after a plane they were travelling in crashed into Lake Malawi near Benga in the district on Tuesday afternoon.

Nkhotakota District Commissioner Ben Matengeni Tohno confirmed that the two bodies were recovered around 2 a.m. on Wednesday and were taken to Nkhotakota District Hospital.

The deceased have been identified as 50-year-old Fungay Jonathan, a Zimbabwean pilot and  Frisco Westheim who is 29 years old and of Dutch origin while the survivor is Charlotte Lemstra who is 22 years old and also of Dutch origin.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Vera Kantukule has applauded the rescue team and service providers at Nkhotakota district council for the swift operation and support rendered to the survivor.

She said this when she visited the survivor before heading to the crash site.

“I am very happy and impressed with the help given to the survivor here at Nkhotakota District Hospital. Let me express gratitude to our partners at African parks and the communities for the support given in one way or the other,” said Kantukule.

The plane has currently been recovered from the lake and brought to the beach.

In a statement, government spokesman Moses Kunkuyu said the aircraft a C210, registration 7QPFU departed Nkhotakota Tongole airfield at 2 p.m. of Tuesday and was traveling to Liwonde in Machinga with the three on board when the accident happened.