In a concerning development, a plane carrying Malawi's Vice President, Saulos Chilima, and nine other individuals has gone missing. The presidential office confirmed that the aircraft failed to make a scheduled landing and is currently untraceable.

According to a statement issued by the presidential office, the Malawi Defense Force Aircraft departed from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, at 9:17 a.m. local time. The plane, bound for Mzuzu International Airport, located approximately 380 km (240 miles) north of Lilongwe, was expected to arrive at its destination but did not.

Authorities have been unable to establish contact with the aircraft since it disappeared from radar, despite their diligent efforts. As a result, General Valentino Phiri, the commander of the Malawi Defense Force, has informed President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera about the incident. In response, President Chakwera has canceled his scheduled departure for the Bahamas and has ordered all regional and national agencies to conduct an immediate search and rescue operation.

The president's office emphasized the urgency of locating the missing plane and all those onboard. The statement outlined that a thorough search and rescue operation is now underway to determine the whereabouts of the aircraft. The regional and national agencies involved in the operation will leave no stone unturned in their quest to find the missing individuals.

At the time of reporting, no additional information on the cause of the plane's disappearance or the individuals' fate has been released. It is anticipated that further updates will be provided as the search and rescue operation progresses.

This development has gripped the nation with worry and concern for the safety of Vice President Saulos Chilima and the other passengers. The government and populace alike are hopeful for a swift resolution to this distressing situation.