Aircraft Carrying Malawi Vice President Goes Missing

According to a statement from the president’s office, an aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, and nine other individuals has gone missing. The Malawi Defence Force aircraft “went off the radar” shortly after departing from Lilongwe on Monday morning.

The aircraft was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport in northern Malawi after 10:00 local time (09:00 BST). However, it failed to reach its destination, prompting immediate concern and a search and rescue operation.

In a speech late Monday, President Lazarus Chakwera addressed the nation, expressing deep concern and outlining the ongoing efforts to locate the missing aircraft. “Soldiers are still on the ground searching, and I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found,” President Chakwera said. He described the situation as “heart-breaking” and acknowledged the widespread fear and concern among the populace.

“I know that we are all frightened and concerned – I too am concerned. But I want to assure you that I am sparing no available resource to find that plane and I am holding onto every fibre of hope that we will find survivors,” he added.

The reason behind the aircraft’s disappearance remains unknown. General Valentino Phiri informed President Chakwera that the situation is still under investigation. Meanwhile, Malawi’s Information Minister, Moses Kunkuyu, told the BBC that efforts to find the aircraft are “intensive.”

Vice President Chilima was en route to represent the government at the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who passed away three days prior.

In response to the crisis, President Chakwera cancelled his planned flight to the Bahamas, which was scheduled for Monday evening. This decision underscores the gravity of the situation and the government’s commitment to resolving it.