A small charter plane crashed into Lake Malawi on Tuesday, resulting in one rescued passenger and two missing individuals, Malawian officials reported. The incident has prompted a search and rescue operation in Africa’s third-largest lake.
Moses Kumkuyu, Malawi’s Information Minister, confirmed in a statement that the aircraft, a Cessna C210 operated by Nyasa Express charter airline, went down near the shoreline in shallow waters. The plane was en route from the central town of Nkhotakota to Liwonde in the south when the accident occurred.
“A female Dutch passenger has been rescued by local fishermen,” Kumkuyu said. “She sustained minor injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.” The minister did not disclose the passenger’s age or identity.
The fate of the pilot and another passenger remains unknown, with rescue efforts ongoing. Authorities have located the aircraft and are coordinating a comprehensive search operation.
The Cessna C210 is a single-engine, six-seat aircraft commonly used for charter flights. Nyasa Express, the operator, is a local charter airline serving various destinations within Malawi. The company has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
Lake Malawi, spanning approximately 580 kilometers (360 miles) in length, covers more than half the length of the country. Its vast size presents challenges for search and rescue operations, particularly in remote areas.
This incident highlights the risks associated with small aircraft operations in the region. Malawi, like many African nations, relies heavily on small planes for domestic travel due to limited road infrastructure in rural areas.
The Malawian Department of Civil Aviation has not yet commented on potential causes of the crash. Typically, investigations into such incidents involve examining factors such as weather conditions, mechanical issues, and pilot error.
