An aircraft carrying Malawi's Vice-President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing, a statement from the president's office has said.
The Malawi Defence Force aircraft "went off the radar" after it left the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning, it added.
The plane was supposed to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the country’s north, just after 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).
In a speech late on Monday, President Lazarus Chakwera said a search and rescue operation was continuing.
"Soldiers are still on the ground carrying out the search and I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found," he said.
Mr Chakwera earlier cancelled his flight to the Bahamas, which was scheduled for Monday evening.
The reason for the aircraft's disappearance is not yet known, General Valentino Phiri told Mr Chakwera. Moses Kunkuyu, Malawi's information minister, told the BBC efforts to find the aircraft are "intensive".
Mr Chilima was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days ago.
Mr Kunkuyu said: "The airport he was to land, which is in the northern part of Mzuzu, was the closest to where the funeral was taking place.”
In 2022, Dr Chilima was arrested and charged on allegations that he accepted money in exchange for awarding government contracts .
Last month, the court dropped the charges, giving no reasons for this decision.
Who is Saulos Chilima?
- Prior to his political career, Dr Chilima held key leadership roles in multinational companies like Unilever and Coca Cola
- He is 51 years old
- He is married with two children
- Dr Chilima is described on the government's website as a "performer", "workaholic" and "an achiever"
- He holds a PhD in Knowledge Management
Latest Stories
-
Outcome of elections will be in question if voter’s register is not credible – Bernard Mornah
44 mins -
This is a very lazy Electoral Commission – Bernard Mornah slams EC over disqualifications
1 hour -
We’ll present entire voter’s register to political parties, other groups on Tuesday – EC
2 hours -
Jean Mensa doesn’t hate anyone – Akua Donkor
2 hours -
Democracy Hub protesters’ conduct condemnable – Dominic Ayine
2 hours -
Why I abandoned my education – Adwoa Smart
2 hours -
Do you know how many fuel levies you are paying at the pump?
2 hours -
EC must state clearly criteria for disqualifying aspiring presidential candidates – Defeamekpor
3 hours -
NDC’s 24-hour economy policy makes ‘no sense’ – Salam Mustapha
3 hours -
‘Every game has rules, and must be complied with’ – Gary Nimako to disqualified presidential aspirants
3 hours -
No presidential aspirant was disqualified based on personal reasons – EC insists
3 hours -
We need a stakeholder engagement on ECG reforms to boost efficiency – Afenyo-Markin
4 hours -
Dubik Mahama’s resignation won’t affect ECG’s efficiency – Board chairman
4 hours -
US government strengthen Ghana Navy’s security with new boats and facilities
4 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses EC’s rejection of forensic audit into voter’s register, Democracy Hub demo
4 hours