A tragic head-on collision in Namibia has resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including 14 security personnel and two civilians.
The accident occurred on Saturday, August 30, 2025, roughly 270 km south of the capital, Windhoek, near the town of Mariental.
The collision involved two vehicles: a police van carrying six occupants—five officers and one civilian—and a correctional service bus with 13 people on board.
Initially, 14 fatalities were reported, but the death toll rose when two more individuals died from injuries sustained in the crash.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that no words can capture the loss, and extended condolences to the families and colleagues of those who died.
Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu confirmed that 19 people were traveling in the two vehicles and urged the public to refrain from sharing sensitive images or videos from the accident scene to respect the victims and their families.
The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) has pledged support to the affected families, providing assistance with medical care, rehabilitation, and funeral arrangements.
Namibia continues to face serious road safety challenges and has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world. In 2021, the country recorded 532 road deaths, marking a notable increase compared with other nations of similar population size.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, while the nation mourns the loss of those who served in the line of duty.