Updated
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-A plane carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima cannot be traced, with authorities in his office and Party saying they are all looking for him.
Chilima was on his way to Mzuzu, where he was expected to connect to Nkhata Bay for the burial of the late Ralph Kasambala.
According to Nation online says that the plane, belonging to Malawi Defence Force (MDF) was returned about 10 minutes before landing at the Airport.
“Yes, I can confirm that the plane did not land in Mzuzu and the matter is being looked into,” said Joseph Moyo the Airport commandant at Mzuzu Airport.
Fèlix Njawala who speaks for Chilima’s UTM Party, but also Pilirani Phiri, who speaks for the VP, said they have yet to get information on the VPs whereabouts.
Major Kelvin Mlelemba, of the MDF said he was not aware of the matter.
The plane left Lilongwe around 10 am and as of 3:45pm there was still no communication and trace of the plane.
Soldiers are searching hills and forests near a city in northern Malawi after a military plane carrying the country’s vice president went missing in the area Monday, President Lazarus Chakwera said.
“I know this is a heartbreaking situation. I know we are all frightened and concerned. I too am concerned,” Chakwera said. “But I want to assure you that I am sparing no available resource to find that plane. And I am holding onto every fiber of hope that we will find survivors.”
Mzuzu is Malawi’s third biggest city and the capital of the northern region. It lies in a hilly, forested area dominated by the Viphya mountain range, which has vast plantations of pine trees.
The president vowed that search operations would continue through the night.