The plane carrying the Vice President of Malawi, Saulos Chilima, and nine other people has disappeared, the president’s office said.

A Malawian army plane disappeared from radar after taking off from the capital Lilongwe this morning local time, the statement added.

The president ordered a search and rescue operation after aviation officials failed to make contact with the plane.

The plane was due to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the north of the country, shortly after 10:00 am local time.

After being informed of the incident, the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, canceled a planned flight to the Bahamas.