Four dead as small plane crashes in Namibian desert

A pilot and three German passengers died when their light aircraft crashed in Sossusvlei, a popular tourist area in Namibia, according to the charter company that operated the flight.

Desert Air CEO Willem de Wet said the wreckage was found around 9:15 am on Monday. The plane had been missing since Sunday.

“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,” de Wet said. He added that next of kin had been informed.

The Cessna 210 took off from a private runway near Hosea Kutako International Airport. It was headed to a private lodge in Sossusvlei, an area known for its towering ochre-coloured dunes.

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

Sossusvlei is a white salt and clay pan in the Namib Desert, featuring dead trees that appear frozen in time. The site is one of Namibia’s most photographed landmarks and appears in many guidebooks about the country. Namibia was a German colony until the end of World War I.

SOURCE: AFP