3 German tourists among 4 dead in Namibia plane crash

A small plane operated by Desert Air has crashed in Namibia’s Sossusvlei region, killing the pilot and three German tourists, according to the airline and local officials. There were no survivors.

The aircraft, a Cessna 210 Centurion, departed on Sunday from a private airstrip near Hosea Kutako International Airport, which serves Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. It was heading to a lodge in the Sossusvlei region.

Desert Air said air and ground search operations were launched on Sunday afternoon when the plane failed to arrive as scheduled. After the search was suspended overnight, the wreckage was found just after 9 a.m. on Monday.

“Sadly, there were no survivors,” Desert Air CEO Willem de Wet said in a statement. He said the plane was carrying four people, including a pilot and three German nationals.

“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. “Everyone at Desert Air is deeply devastated by this loss, and our thoughts remain with all those affected during this extremely difficult time.”

The identities of those killed were not immediately released but their next of kin have been notified, according to the airline. Namibia’s Directorate of Aircraft Accident Investigation (DAAI) is investigating the cause of the crash.

Desert Air provides scenic flights in the Sossusvlei region and to other tourist destinations across Namibia, as well as private charter flights and flight training programs, according to its website.