The plane carrying Malawi’s Vice-President may have crashed in the northern Chikangawa forest of the country, a senior military official said.
The aircraft, identified as a military plane, was navigating through adverse weather conditions at the time of its disappearance.
Efforts to locate the missing plane have been underway, with soldiers combing through the forest in search of any signs of wreckage.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Malawi Defense Force commander, Paul Valentino Phiri, expressed the challenges faced by search teams due to foggy conditions reducing visibility in the forest.
President Lazarus Chakwera has reassured the nation of the government’s unwavering commitment to finding the missing plane and its passengers. “I am sparing no available resource to find that plane,” he declared during an address to the nation on Monday evening.
However, criticism has arisen regarding the timing and coordination of the search operation. The United Transformation Movement (UTM), Dr. Chilima’s political party, expressed disappointment, alleging delays in initiating the search efforts.
Dr. Chilima, aged 51, was en route to attend the funeral of former government minister Ralph Kasambara when the incident occurred. Also onboard the flight was former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri.
The journey, which was supposed to conclude in the northern city of Mzuzu, was rerouted back to the capital, Lilongwe, due to poor visibility.
In a bid to expedite the search, President Chakwera has reached out to various governments, including the US, UK, Norway, and Israel, who have offered assistance in locating the missing aircraft.
Dr. Chilima, who has been Malawi’s vice-president since 2014, enjoys widespread popularity, particularly among the youth. Despite facing legal challenges in the past, including allegations of corruption, the charges against him were dropped last month.
As the search continues, the nation remains on edge, hoping for a positive outcome amidst the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the missing plane and its passengers.
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