There are indications that they wreckage might have been found and some of those are being taken to Mzimba Hospital now.
Malawians should brace for the worse as delayed search and rescue by Government agencies have reduced chances of survivors in a politically chilling crash of the MDF plane Dornier 228 carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima.
By six in the evening, Government through Office of the President and Cabinet confirmed the missing of the plane, by our sources indicate that it had been located at Chikangawa forest eight hours The Investigator Magazine was told by security agencies the plane was missing.
The Investigator Magazine evening update on the events as they unfold:
The officials at Mzimba District Hospital have been alerted to be on standby to receive incident victims. Not yet clear which incident.
Malawians should brace for the worse as delayed search and rescue by Government agencies have reduced chances of survivors in a politically chilling crash of the MDF plane carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima.
The plane that is feared to have clashed is a Dornier 228-202K, registration MAAW -T03, a German made which is based at the Zomba Airbase and frequently used by the Malawi Air force to transport High level officials and the MDF is failing to fly helicopters at night as its 2 active ex-United Kingdom Gazelle AH1s doesn’t have the capability to fly at night
By six in the evening, Government through Office of the President and Cabinet confirmed the missing of the plane, by our sources indicate that it had been located at Chikangawa forest eight hours The Investigator Magazine was told by security agencies the plane was missing.
The Investigator Magazine evening update on the events as they unfold:
10:58 control tower reports last contact with the Plane as it was told of bad weather, and it could not land at Mzuzu Airport. The plane, according to the sources is the same that had carried former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara. Chilima and his team were on their way to the burial of late Kasambara.
11:20: The Investigator Magazine confirms that the Vice President has failed to turn up at the funeral which continues, as Master of Ceremonies announce he is delayed.
12:00: The plane carrying the Vice President cannot be located. Vice Presidents aides confirm but two theories emerge that either they have landed in Mozambique or Zambia, and it could take a while for protocols to be observed and communicate.
13:20: The Investigator Magazine breaks the news that the plane is missing, security officials confirm there is no search for the plane as they are hoping one of the phone could be tracked.
14:40: Other media pick the story; panic grows and finally it is accepted that the plane might have crashed either in Chikangawa Forest or in Lake Malawi explaining their failure to locate phones of those on board.
15:50: Ministers and MDF Commander arrive at Kamuzu International Airport to escort President Lazarus Chakwera as he flies out to the Bahamas. Public questions the logic of the President travelling while the Vice President is missing.
16:20: Residents in Mzuzu and Mzimba report increased military and police cruising towards the Chikangawa Forest. Search officially has started.
17:00: Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba issues a statement confirming the missing plane as President Lazarus Chakwera is said to be in cabinet meeting.
17:30: The Investigator Magazine is informed one of mobile phones on airtel network is located by the company indicating the radius of the crash.
18:00: The Cabinet Meeting continues at Kamuzu Palace and President and Mzimba Health officials confirm continued search and no wreckage found so far.
18:20: Malawi Redcross Society which is helping in search and rescue indicate might issue statement.
Next update at 10pm if there is no official government statement.
