Niël Terblanché
Structural engineers are assessing the damage to a railway bridge over the Swakop River after a cross bracing came loose and collided with a passing cargo train.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday night near Swakopmund, involved a train transporting cargo from Walvis Bay.
Initial evaluations suggest that the damage to the railway infrastructure is minor.
Abigail Raubenheimer, spokesperson for TransNamib, confirmed the incident.
She stressed that no derailments or spillage of hazardous substances occurred.
“We are relieved that no harm came to our personnel, the public, or the environment. Safety remains our highest priority, and a full investigation is already underway to identify this incident’s root cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future,” she said.
The incident occurred after a cross brace beam of the railway bridge hooked on the train damaging several containers and accompanying tanker wagons aboard the train.
Despite the impact, there was no significant disruption to operations or threats to public safety.
Raubenheimer commended the rapid response of the relevant teams and reiterated TransNamib’s commitment to upholding stringent safety standards.
“TransNamib is committed to maintaining the highest safety and operational standards,” she said
She added that corrective measures will be implemented once the investigation is complete.
According to Raubenheimer, the investigation, which began on Monday, aims to determine how the cross bracing became loose and to identify any systemic issues that may require attention.
TransNamib, the national transporter managing Namibia’s rail network, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years to ensure the reliability and safety of its operations amid growing demand for cargo transport.
Raubenheimer said that while the engineers continue their evaluations, the company remains vigilant in addressing any potential vulnerabilities in its infrastructure.
The railway bridge over the Swakop River, a vital link in Namibia’s rail network, will undergo thorough inspections to ensure its structural integrity before full operations resume.
“We are taking every step necessary to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” she said.
TransNamib has reassured stakeholders that all necessary measures are being taken to guarantee the safety and efficiency of the country’s rail system.
