A plane carrying the Vice President of Malawi, Saulos Chilima, along with nine others, has been reported missing. The aircraft departed from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, at approximately 9:17 a.m. to attend the funeral of former Malawi Attorney General Ralph Kasambara, as confirmed by Lucky Sikwese, an aide in Chilima’s office, according to the New York Times.

Shortly after departure, the aircraft vanished from radar and subsequent attempts to establish contact have been unsuccessful. Sikwese reported that aviation officials have confirmed the Malawi Defense Force aircraft “has not landed at any of the airports” after failing to make its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport due to severe weather conditions.

“The Civilian Aviation Authority has confirmed that it has not landed at any airports,” Sikwese stated.

In 2022, Vice President Chilima was arrested and charged over allegations of accepting bribes in exchange for government contracts. However, these charges were dropped in May of the following year.

In response to the missing aircraft, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has initiated a search and rescue operation, involving both national and regional agencies.