An aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing, a statement from the president’s office has said.
The Malawi Defense Force aircraft “went off the radar” after it left the nation’s capital, Lilongwe, on Monday, it added.
The President ordered a search and rescue operation after aviation officials were unable to contact the aircraft.
It was supposed to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the country’s north, just after 10:00 local time (11:00 BST).
After being informed of the incident, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera cancelled his scheduled flight to the Bahamas.
Attached below is a copy of the statement from Capital Hill in Lilongwe
Capital Hill, Lilongwe – 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 canceled 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.
Colleen Zamba
SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET
Monday, 10th June 2024
This is a breaking news story – more information to follow
