Vice President's Plane Disappears in Malawi Amid Search and Rescue Mission

A military plane carrying Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima has vanished, prompting a massive search and rescue operation in the country's mountainous forests. The aircraft, a Casa 212 belonging to the Malawi Air Force, was last seen near the city of Mzuzu in northern Malawi on Saturday afternoon.

A military plane carrying Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima has disappeared, sparking a large-scale search and rescue operation. The aircraft, a Casa 212 belonging to the Malawi Air Force, vanished near the city of Mzuzu in northern Malawi on Saturday afternoon.

President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the incident in a statement, saying that soldiers were scouring mountainous forests in the area where the plane was last seen. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vice President, his staff, and the crew of the plane," Chakwera said.

The Vice President was reportedly traveling with nine other passengers, including his aides and security personnel. The plane was en route to the capital, Lilongwe, after Chilima had attended a political rally in Mzuzu.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane shortly after it took off from Mzuzu Airport. Search teams have been deployed to the area, which is known for its rugged terrain and dense vegetation.

The cause of the disappearance is still unknown. However, officials said there was no indication of foul play or a deliberate act.

Malawi's military has sent out helicopters and ground troops to search for the plane. Rescue workers are also using tracking devices to locate the aircraft's wreckage.

The search operation is being hampered by heavy rainfall and poor visibility. However, officials said they remained hopeful of finding survivors.

"We are doing everything we can to find the plane and bring back the Vice President and the others safely," President Chakwera said.

Chilima, 50, is a former businessman who was elected Vice President in 2020. He is considered a potential successor to Chakwera in the 2025 presidential election.

The disappearance of the Vice President's plane has sent shockwaves through Malawi. The country is already facing a number of challenges, including a cholera outbreak and a deepening economic crisis.

The search operation is expected to continue throughout the night. Officials said they would provide regular updates as new information becomes available.