Malawian Vice president Saulos Klaus Chilima (file Photo)
By George Swarei
LILONGWE, MALAWI – A plane carrying Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others has gone missing, sparking a massive search and rescue operation.
The Malawi Defence Force aircraft, a PA-32-301 Saratoga, took off from Lilongwe’s Kamuzu International Airport at 9:00 AM local time on Monday, bound for Mzuzu International Airport in the country’s north. However, air traffic control lost contact with the plane shortly after takeoff, and it vanished from radar screens.
On board with Vice President Chilima were his aide-de-camp, two pilots, and six other passengers, including a cabinet minister, a member of parliament, and four business executives.
The plane, registration number 7Q-DEF, is owned by the Malawi Defence Force and is regularly used for government official trips. It had undergone routine maintenance just last week and was deemed airworthy.
The intended route took the plane over the scenic Lake Malawi, a popular tourist destination. The flight was expected to take approximately 45 minutes.
As news of the missing plane spread, President Lazarus Chakwera cut short his trip to the Bahamas and returned to Malawi to coordinate the search efforts. The military has deployed helicopters, planes, and ground teams to search the lake and surrounding areas.
Possible outcomes range from a mechanical failure to bad weather, although officials say it’s too early to speculate. The plane’s last known position was over the lake, raising fears of a potential crash into the water.
Rescue teams are working against time to locate the plane and its occupants, with hopes of finding survivors. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with many taking to social media to pray for the safe return of the vice president and those on board.
As the search continues, officials are urging calm and assuring the public that everything is being done to locate the missing plane. The incident has raised questions about aviation safety in Malawi, with calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
The vice president’s office has released a statement saying that Chilima was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days ago.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of support for the vice president and those on board, with many calling for their safe return. As the search efforts continue, the nation holds its breath, hoping for a positive outcome.
