According to a statement released by the office of the President of Malawi, the Malawian Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima, 51 and nine other individuals accompanying him are currently unaccounted for after the military plane they were traveling in departed from the capital city of Lilongwe on Monday morning and then disappeared from the radar.
The plane’s Passenger Manifest was reportedly as follows:
- His Honor Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima
- Madam.Mary Chilima
- Mr. Lukas Kapheni
- Mr. Chisomo Chimaneni
- Ms. Gloria Mtukule
- Ms.Shanil Dzimbiri
- Mr. Dan Kanyemba
- Mr. Abdul Kingstone Lapukeni
Mr. Chilima, who has held the position of vice-president in the southern African nation since 2014, was heading to the burial ceremony of the late former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who had passed away three days ago, to represent the government.
The announcement released by the president’s office indicated that the aircraft departed at approximately 9:17am local time but did not arrive as planned at Mzuzu International Airport at 10:02am.
Malawi‘s president, Lazarus Chakwera, has been notified of the situation and subsequently called off his planned visit to the Bahamas.
“The public will be updated of any developments on the situation as facts are established,” the statement from the president’s office said.
No additional details are currently available.
