Namibia truck crashes claim 48 lives, prompting calls for rail revival

Truck-involved crashes in Namibia have resulted in 48 deaths and 211 injuries between January 1 and September 16, 2026, according to data from the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund. Out of 112 recorded incidents, the Erongo and Otjozondjupa regions accounted for approximately 60% of the fatalities.

In the Erongo Region, 30 crashes led to 15 deaths, while the Khomas region recorded the highest number of injuries with 59. The Otjozondjupa region saw 14 crashes resulting in 14 deaths and 36 injuries, indicating high crash severity. Collisions were the most frequent accident type, representing 57 incidents and 37 fatalities.

In response to these figures, MVA Fund Manager for Accident and Injury Prevention Jones Lutombi has called for the revival and expansion of Namibia’s rail network. Lutombi suggested that shifting long-distance freight from roads to rail could reduce heavy vehicle exposure on major transport corridors. He emphasized that a multimodal transport system is essential for Namibia to achieve its goal of becoming a regional logistics hub while improving safety for all road users, including pedestrians.