Erongo Police confirmed that eight people died in a head-on collision between a minibus and a truck between Swakopmund and Arandis around 21:00 last night.

The minibus, traveling from Arandis, collided with a truck coming from Swakopmund. Emergency responders reported that the 48-year-old truck driver sustained injuries. Two survivors were taken to a hospital in Windhoek.

Brendon Scott of EMS Emergency Medical Services said only one person survived from the minibus.

The victims have not yet been identified. Police Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona said a culpable homicide case is under investigation.

Prompted by the accident, Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses called an emergency meeting of the Regional Road Safety Forum in Swakopmund, where members raised concerns about congested roads and driver attitudes.

Chief Inspector Daniel Lange, Traffic Coordinator for Erongo Police, said, “Every day, if you drive anywhere, anytime, you will find a lot of trucks, including dangerous goods vehicles. The road conditions, especially between Swakopmund and Usakos, are very narrow. Some parts of the road are broken down. These factors contribute, but the biggest factor is the attitude of the drivers.”

Deputy Commissioner Tobias Gerber, Head of Crime Prevention for Erongo Police, also emphasized trucks as a contributing factor.
Governor /Goagoses said, “I am directing that within the next two weeks, a joint meeting be called with the Inspector General of Police and all relevant players. We want trans-Namibia leadership. We are saying some heavy goods transporters—such as those carrying copper—must shift to rail transport.”