A devastating head-on collision occurred in Namibia, resulting in the deaths of 14 people, including 11 members of the prison service, one police officer, and two civilians.
The accident took place 270km south of the capital, Windhoek, outside the town of Mariental on Saturday. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed her condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased, praising the souls of the fallen officers.
Nineteen people were traveling in the two vehicles, with three prison officers remaining critically injured.
The Namibian government has been urged to address the country’s high road traffic fatality rates, with 22 road traffic fatalities per 100,000 people reported in 2021, significantly higher than in the UK.
The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund will assist with burials and medical care for those affected.
Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu appealed to the public to refrain from circulating distressing images and videos from the accident scene, out of respect for the deceased and their families.
