Search and rescue exercise for ‘missing plane’ creates anxiety, aviation authorities dismiss rumours

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has dismissed reports that a plane carrying 86 passengers from Bangladesh en route to Lusaka has gone missing.

CAA Public Relations Manager, Sepiso Zimba, clarified that the incident was a mock exercise or simulation as part of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise.

In a statement issued in Lusaka, Zimba said: “The Zambia Civil Aviation Authority wishes to inform all stakeholders and members of the public that what has been circulating on social media was merely a mock exercise or simulation.”

Zimba explained that Zambia, as a signatory to the ICAO, is mandated to carry out Search and Rescue Missions and exercises in line with ICAO Annex 12. The objective of SAR in aviation is to ensure the safety and efficient rescue of persons in distress due to an aircraft accident or incident.

“This involves the coordination and collaboration of various national and international organizations such as the Civil Aviation Authority; Aircraft Accidents Investigation Board; Zambia Airports Corporation; Zambia Air Force; Zambia Police; the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit; Ministry of Health, among others.

“ All these institutions have a coordinated approach during an accident or incident to provide timely and effective assistance,” Zimba stated.

Reports had circulated on social media alleging that an airplane from Bangladesh carrying 86 passengers, which was supposed to land at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Monday, July 29, 2024, had gone missing.

Zimba said that the reports were unfounded and stemmed from the SAR exercise.

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