A statement from the president's office says an aircraft carrying Malawi's Vice-President Saulos Chilima and nine others went missing yesterday morning.

The plane was supposed to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the country’s north, just after 10:00 am, local time. The reason for the aircraft's disappearance is not yet known.

In a speech late on Monday, President Lazarus Chakwera said a search and rescue operation was continuing. Chakwera earlier cancelled his flight to the Bahamas, which was scheduled for Monday evening.

Mr Chilima was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days ago.

In 2022, Dr Chilima was arrested and charged on allegations that he accepted money in exchange for awarding government contracts. Last month, the court dropped the charges, giving no reasons for this decision.