A luxury Rovos Rail train derailed near Keetmanshoop in the early hours of 1 March 2026, tragically killing two crew members and prompting a major emergency response, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Image shared by @XekiHlongwane on X
TransNamib said the train left Windhoek and came off the track at about 5am in the Naute area, roughly 100km from Keetmanshoop.
According to NovaNews Desmond van Jaarsveld, chief executive of TransNamib, said: ‘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.‘
The statement added that crews activated the emergency plan immediately and that urgent medical care was provided to survivors.
Luxury Train Derails Near Keetmanshoop
The world-renowned luxury train, Rovos Rail, carrying tourists and staff members, was en route to South Africa when it derailed approximately 50km southeast of Keetmanshoop at around 4:00 Sunday morning, bringing a dramatic end to an… pic.twitter.com/lBAmKJPYkp
— ❎e k ℹ️ (@XekiHlongwane) March 1, 2026
Rovos Rail confirmed two staff deaths and said no passengers sustained serious injuries. The company arranged buses to transport guests and will fly them onward from Upington, with senior Rovos staff meeting arrivals in Cape Town.
An investigation is under way and authorities will be updated once enquiries conclude. Social posts from independent journalists and witnesses circulated early updates on X, including a post by Yusuf Abramjee reporting two fatalities.
Article shared by Cape ETC
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