Malawians are fearing the worst for vice-president Saulos Chilima and his entourage who were on board a military aircraft which disappeared.
Prayers are being held across Malawi for the safe return of the aircraft which went missing on Monday.
Search and rescue operations continue into on Tuesday for the military aircraft carrying the vice-president.
President Lazarus Chakwera said the aircraft, which was carrying nine other Malawi government officials, was on its way back to the capital Lilongwe after failing to land at Mzuzu airport due to bad weather when it went off the radar around mid-morning on Monday.
“I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found,” Chakwera said in a televised address to the nation on Monday night.
The search party is searching Chikangawa Forest, with neighbouring countries and international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, Norway and Israel, offering support and specialized technology to assist in the search.
JN/APA