Aircraft Carrying Malawi Vice President Missing, S...

Aircraft Carrying Malawi Vice President Missing, Search underway

Zim Now Writer

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has called for a search after a military plane carrying Malawi country’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, and nine others yesterday went missing , revealed the president’s office.

In a statement, the Malawian Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba said the plane left the capital Lilongwe just after 9.15 AM yesterday headed for Mzuzu, in the north, but did not land as scheduled.

"The Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to inform the general public that the Malawi Defense Force Aircraft that left Lilongwe today, Monday 10th June 2024 at 09:17 Hours, carrying the Vice President, the Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, and nine others, failed to make its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport at 10:02. All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the Aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far

"As such, the Commander of the Malawi Defense Force, General Valentino Phiri, has since informed His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of the incident and the President has since cancelled his scheduled departure for the Bahamas and ordered all regional and national agencies to conduct an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft.

“The public will be updated of any developments on the situation as facts are established.”

Chakwera said he had been informed the pilot was unable to land due to poor weather, and had been advised to return to Lilongwe before communication was lost with the plane.

The plane was reportedly flying to the funeral of Ralph Kasambara, a former minister of justice and attorney general, Chakwera told media.

He said search teams were working within a 10km radius.

"I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found.

"I am holding onto every fibre of hope that we will find survivors."