In a concerning turn of events, Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima has gone missing along with nine others after their military plane lost contact with aviation authorities on Monday. The aircraft, which was en route from the capital city of Lilongwe to Mzuzu International Airport, failed to make its scheduled landing, sparking a search and rescue operation.

The 51-year-old vice president, known for his active role in Malawi's political sphere, embarked on the journey to Mzuzu, located approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles) north of Lilongwe. However, the aircraft disappeared off the radar around 45 minutes after takeoff, leaving authorities perplexed and concerned for the safety of those on board.

President Lazarus Chakwera's office released a statement confirming the unsettling news and revealing that the aircraft had not been successfully contacted since it went missing. President Chakwera, having been informed of the situation by General Valentino Phiri, the head of the Malawian armed forces, immediately ordered a comprehensive search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the missing plane.

As a result of the ongoing search operation, President Chakwera canceled his planned trip to the Bahamas to oversee the efforts personally. National and local authorities have been mobilized to expedite the search for the missing aircraft and its passengers.

The disappearance of the vice president and the military plane has sent shockwaves across Malawi, as the country eagerly awaits updates regarding their safety and any possible clues about the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

While the exact cause of the disappearance remains unknown, the authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to locate the missing aircraft. The president's office has expressed their deep concern for the well-being of Vice President Chilima and the other individuals on board, and the nation remains hopeful for a positive outcome as the search and rescue operation continues.