Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Port Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the tragic death of a worker on board a container vessel at the start of the weekend.
Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s Executive: Commercial Services said in a statement said that the investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
“In a tragic incident that unfolded at the Port of Walvis Bay, Tangeni Antindi, an employee of Namibia Stevedoring Services, lost his life while performing his duties on a vessel,” he said.
The fatal incident occurred on 19 May 2023 during the loading of a 20-foot container using the crane of a container ship that was moored in the port of Walvis Bay.
According to an incident report that was released by the Namibian Police, Antindi was directing the crane operator on where to place the container when it slipped and hit him in the chest.
Antindi was standing on top of a stack of containers already fastened to the ship’s deck.
The blow to his chest knocked him unconscious and he fell to his death on the deck below.
Mwenyo said that when the port authority was notified of the incident, emergency services, including ambulance personnel, swiftly responded to the scene.
“Despite their immediate and sustained efforts, Antindi was declared deceased on the scene,” he said.
Mwenyo said the various authorities are committed to conducting a thorough examination to ascertain the cause of the fatal accident and to gather all pertinent details.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and working family of Tangeni Antindi during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and support are with them as they cope with this devastating loss,” Mwenyo said. The Namport executive also indicated that further updates and information will be shared with the public as the investigation progresses.
