An aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice-President, Saulos Chilima, and nine others has gone missing. That is according to a statement from the president’s office has announced. The Malawi Defense Force aircraft “went off the radar” shortly after departing from the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.
The disappearance of the Malawi Vice-President’s aircraft has prompted immediate action. President Lazarus Chakwera ordered a search and rescue operation after aviation officials were unable to establish contact with the aircraft. The plane was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport. This airport is located in the country’s north, just after 10:00 local time (11:00 BST).
Upon receiving news of the missing aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice-President, President Chakwera canceled his planned flight to the Bahamas to oversee the situation personally.
The sudden loss of communication with the Malawi Vice President’s aircraft has raised significant concerns. Authorities are working tirelessly to locate the aircraft and ensure the safety of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and all others on board.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370
The current situation brings to mind the tragic disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in 2014. Similar to the Malawi vice president’s missing aircraft, MH370 vanished from radar without any prior indication of trouble. This led to one of the most extensive and costly search operations in aviation history.
But, the Malawi government, in collaboration with international aviation experts, is leveraging advanced technology and coordinated efforts to locate the aircraft. Typically, the search operation involves multiple teams, including aerial surveillance, ground search parties, and maritime units, scouring the potential flight path and surrounding areas.
Stay updated as more details emerge about the search for the Malawi Vice-President’s missing aircraft.