Rovos Rail luxury train derailed in southern Namibia

A train accident south of Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia claimed two lives yesterday. Reports indicate that the two locomotives of the Rovos Rail luxury train derailed at a rivier (dry river) bridge. Both train drivers lost their lives.

The accident occurred at 4:45 a.m. on Sunday near Naute, Rovos Rail announced on the same morning. The train was en route to South Africa and approximately 285 km from the Ariamsvlei / Nakop border crossing.

"The automatic brake system stopped the train to prevent further damage." No passengers were injured. Rovos Rail planned to transport them by bus to Upington and from there arrange flights to their final destination, Cape Town.

The rail network operator, TransNamib, stated that it immediately dispatched an emergency response team (see the report of the Namibian). Emergency services and police also rushed to the scene.

The train consisted of two locomotives, 21 carriages, and a water tank, media reported (see the news reports of state broadcaster NBC on Facebook and on YouTube). There were 36 employees and 45 tourists on board. They apparently only noticed the train's stop.

Cause of accident under investigation

"The cause [of the accident] was a washaway of the last span of a bridge," Rovos Rail stated. According to TransNamib, the accident site has been cordoned off and a comprehensive investigation has been launched.

A few days earlier, parts of southern Namibia had experienced torrential downpours (see report of Namibia Daily News from 23 February 2026 on Facebook). The Roads Authority (RA) has closed several district roads northwest, north, and southeast of Keetmanshoop due to significant damage. Details can be found in the RA's Facebook post from 24 February 2026.

The South African luxury train Rovos Rail has been operating since 1989. The 11-day 'Namibia Safari' runs from Cape Town or Pretoria to Walvis Bay and also in the opposite direction. Guests take excursions to Etosha, Sossusvlei and Fish River Canyon.

Derailed carriages of the South African luxury train Rovos Rail near Naute, south of Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia. Photo: Screenshot from the news report by Namibian state broadcaster NBC