Malawian authorities are intensifying search and rescue efforts for a missing military aircraft carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima, President Lazarus Chakwera announced late Monday.
The plane, which departed the capital Lilongwe at 9:17 am on Monday, went missing shortly after. It was carrying Chilima, 51, and nine others.
“Aviation authorities have been unable to establish contact with the aircraft since it disappeared from radar,” a statement from the President’s office revealed. The plane was scheduled to land at Mzuzu Airport by 10:02 am.
According to President Chakwera, who addressed the nation via television, the plane was unable to land due to poor visibility and was instructed to return to Lilongwe. “I cling to every shred of hope that we will find survivors,” he said, indicating that search efforts are concentrated within a 10-kilometer radius of a forest reserve.
President Chakwera emphasized the search’s urgency, stating, “I have issued strict instructions for the operation to continue relentlessly until the plane is located.” Malawi has also sought assistance from neighboring countries, the United States, Britain, Norway, and Israel in its search efforts.
Chilima, a potential contender in next year’s presidential election, faced arrest in 2022 on corruption charges. However, the charges were dropped last month after Malawian courts approved a request from prosecutors to discontinue the case. Chilima has consistently maintained his innocence.
