Nine people have died while 15 others sustained injuries in a horrific head-on collision between a public transport bus and a construction tipper truck on the B1 road near Oniimbwele village in the Oshikoto region on Monday.

The tragic crash comes as the road carnage continues to claim lives. Namibian Police have confirmed that 414 people have died on national roads since January this year.

Oshikoto regional commander, Commissioner Ndafudha Iifo, confirmed the accident, saying four of the deceased have been identified but their names cannot be released as their next of kin have not all been informed. Iifo said all fatalities were passengers in the Iveco bus, including the driver.

The victims include two minor girls, three women, and a young man, while one woman died upon arrival at Onandjokwe Hospital.

Iifo explained that the bus was travelling from Ondangwa to Windhoek, while the tipper truck was from Onathinge towards Ondangwa when the crash occurred.

She said preliminary investigations indicate that the truck allegedly swerved into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision.

The police commissioner indicated that the driver of the truck, a 52-year-old man and the sole occupant, sustained serious leg injuries and was admitted to Onandjokwe State Hospital.

She said all the injured passengers were also taken to the same hospital for treatment.

Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, described the tragic accident as heartbreaking.

“We, the police, are earnestly and deeply concerned about the continued loss of lives on our roads. From 01 January 2025 to date, a staggering 414 fatalities have been recorded, a number that could continue to rise if we do not change our attitude on the road, ensure our vehicles are roadworthy, and abide by traffic rules and regulations,” she said.

These are not just statistics but lives lost, families shattered, and communities in mourning, she stressed.

Shikwambi said that speeding and reckless driving, distracted driving, and non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations are costing the nation lives.

“Let us stop the carnage. Let us choose safety. Let us drive responsibly and save lives,” she advised.

vkaapanda@nepc.com.na