Head-on Collision Kills 14 Police, Prison Officers Namibia

A tragic road accident occurred near Mariental, Namibia, when a police van collided head-on with a correctional services van, resulting in the deaths of 14 to 16 people, including 11 correctional officers, one police officer, and two civilians. The crash took place on the B1 highway, about 270 kilometers south of Windhoek, and left several others critically injured and receiving hospital treatment. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed deep condolences, emphasizing the significant loss to the Namibian family and mourning the fallen officers. Namibia experiences high rates of road traffic fatalities, with over 400 deaths reported in the 2023-2024 financial year, making such accidents a major public health concern. The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, a government-backed insurance scheme, pledged support for the victims' families, including medical care and burial assistance. Authorities have urged the public to avoid sharing distressing images from the accident scene out of respect for those affected.