A military plane carrying Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other passengers has gone missing, prompting President Lazarus Chakwera to order an immediate search and rescue operation. The plane departed from the capital city of Lilongwe but failed to make its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport, approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles) to the north, about 45 minutes later.
According to a statement from President Chakwera’s office, aviation authorities lost contact with the plane when it “went off radar.” The 51-year-old vice president was on board the aircraft when it disappeared.
Gen. Valentino Phiri, the head of the Malawian armed forces, informed President Chakwera of the missing plane, leading the president to cancel a planned trip to the Bahamas to focus on the search and rescue efforts. The president has ordered national and local authorities to conduct an immediate operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft and its passengers.
The statement from the president’s office emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “All efforts to make contact with the aircraft since it went off radar have failed thus far.”
The disappearance of the military plane carrying the vice president has raised concerns across Malawi and the international community. Details regarding the other passengers on board and the circumstances surrounding the plane’s disappearance remain unclear at this time.
As search and rescue operations continue, the nation anxiously awaits updates on the fate of Vice President Saulos Chilima and the other passengers. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with air travel and the importance of swift action in emergency situations.
The international community has expressed its support for Malawi during this difficult time, with many nations offering assistance in the search and rescue efforts. The disappearance of the vice president’s plane has garnered global attention, highlighting the need for a thorough investigation into the incident and the implementation of measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As the search for the missing plane continues, the thoughts and prayers of the Malawian people and the international community are with Vice President Saulos Chilima, his family, and the families of the other passengers on board.
