In Malawi, an aircraft carrying its Vice-President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing.

According to a statement from Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera’s office, the Malawi Defence Force aircraft went off the radar after it left the capital, Lilongwe, yesterday.

The craft was carrying the 51-year-old vice president, his wife and eight other individuals.

It left the capital, Lilongwe, but failed to make its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport, 45 minutes later. A search and rescue operation is underway.