Fatal Plane Accident in Namibia Claims Lives of Three German Nationals and Their Pilot

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The pilot of a small plane and three German passengers died when their aircraft crashed in Namibia’s tourist magnet of Sossusvlei, the plane charter company said on Monday.

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“The wreckage of the aircraft was located around 9:15 am this morning. Unfortunately, there are no survivors,” Desert Air CEO Willem de Wet said, revealing the plane had been missing since Sunday.

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“We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident,” he said, adding that next of kin had been informed.

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Desert Air said the Cessna 210 plane had gone down after setting off from a private runway near Hosea Kutako International Airport, bound for a private lodge in Sossusvlei, known for its imposing ochre-coloured sand dunes.

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The company said an investigation was underway into the cause of the crash.

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The Sossusvlei desert, a popular tourist destination in the former German colony, is the location of a white salt and clay pan where dead Namib Desert trees appear as if frozen in time.

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A photograph of the site adorns almost every guidebook on Namibia.

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Namibia’s tourist ministry estimates some 110,000 German tourists visited the country in 2024, the largest contingent after visitors southern Africa.

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AFP

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