WINDHOEK, March 3– Namibia‘s national rail operator, TransNamib, on Sunday confirmed a tragic derailment involving a Rovos Rail passenger train in southern Namibia that left two people dead. “We confirm with deep sadness that a tragic rail accident involving a train operated by Rovos Rail occurred in the early hours of this morning, March 1, 2026, at approximately 05:00 a.m.,” TransNamib Chief Executive Officer Desmond Van Jaarsveld said in a statement. The train derailed near Naute, about 100 km from the southern town of Keetmanshoop. Jaarsveld said the company immediately activated its emergency response plan and dispatched teams to the scene. TransNamib said an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway and that it is cooperating fully with authorities. Police later confirmed that two passengers died, while four others sustained injuries and were taken to Keetmanshoop State Hospital for treatment. At the time of the derailment, the train carried 36 Rovos Rail staff members and 45 tourists. Rovos Rail is a privately owned luxury rail company operating long-distance journeys across southern Africa, mainly serving regional and international tourists.
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