The Malawian military has confirmed that the plane carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others crashed in bad weather, resulting in no survivors.

The wreckage of the military plane was located in a mountainous area in the north of the country after a search lasting over a day.

The military plane, a Dornier 228-202K aircraft, was carrying Chilima, 51, and nine others, including former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, when it disappeared on Monday.

The plane was headed to Mzuzu, a northern city 370 kilometres away from the capital Lilongwe, to attend the funeral of a former cabinet minister.

However, due to poor visibility, the pilot was instructed to return to Lilongwe, but the plane vanished from the radar.

Rescuers combed through the fog-covered forest south of Mzuzu on Tuesday, following the location of the last tower the plane transmitted to before disappearing.

Army personnel were seen standing near debris bearing the registration number of the Malawi Army Air Wing Dornier 228-202K aircraft on a foggy slope.

The search effort was aided by neighbouring countries, including helicopters and drones.

Chilima was first elected vice president in 2014 and is widely loved, especially among young people. However, in 2022, he was stripped of his powers after being arrested and charged with graft over a bribery scandal. Last month, the charges were dropped, and he resumed his official duties.