In Malawi, efforts are underway to locate a military aircraft that went missing, carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others. President Lazarus Chakwera has expressed deep concern and assured the nation that all possible resources are being utilized in the search operation.
President Chakwera addressed the nation, acknowledging the distressing situation and affirming the commitment to exhaust all available resources to locate the missing aircraft and, hopefully, survivors. The plane, which departed just after 9:00 am, failed to land due to adverse weather conditions.
Among the passengers was Malawi’s former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri (Muluzi). The group was en route from Lilongwe to Mzuzu for the funeral of a former cabinet minister, a journey spanning over 370 kilometers.
The president revealed that the pilot attempted to land in Mzuzu but was impeded by poor visibility caused by bad weather. Consequently, aviation authorities advised the aircraft to return to Lilongwe. Unfortunately, contact with the aircraft was lost shortly afterward.
Dismissing rumors of search operations being halted for the night, President Chakwera affirmed that soldiers are actively conducting search efforts and vowed to continue until the plane is found. He assured the public of regular updates on the progress of the operation.
President Chakwera has enlisted international support, reaching out to various governments including the US, Britain, Norway, and Israel. These nations have offered assistance, including specialized technologies to enhance search capabilities.
Recent signals indicate the plane’s possible location within a 10-kilometer radius of Riaply, a timber milling company in Malawi. Local media reports suggest soldiers are scouring the area with torches and on foot.
Eyewitnesses have reportedly claimed to have seen a plane crashing into the forest earlier on the day of the disappearance. President Chakwera, canceling a visit to the Bahamas, remains focused on the ongoing search efforts.
Vice President Chilima, elected in 2014, commands significant popularity in Malawi, especially among the youth. However, his tenure has been marked by challenges, including a 2022 graft scandal that led to the stripping of his powers. Last month, charges related to this scandal were dropped by a Malawian court.
