A small charter plane crashed in Namibia’s remote Sossusvlei desert, killing the pilot and three German tourists aboard, officials confirmed Monday.
The aircraft disappeared on Sunday after departing from a private runway near Hosea Kutako International Airport toward a luxury lodge destination.
Desert Air chief executive Willem de Wet said rescue teams discovered the wreckage early Monday morning in the vast desert landscape.
“There are no survivors,” de Wet said, describing the crash as a devastating tragedy for families, friends, and the tourism community.
The company said relatives of the victims had already been informed while investigators began examining the cause of the disaster.
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 210, commonly used for charter flights across Namibia’s sprawling wilderness and tourist routes.
Sossusvlei is famous for towering ochre sand dunes rising like waves from the desert, drawing photographers and travellers worldwide.
The region’s haunting white clay pans and ancient dead trees create landscapes appearing suspended in time beneath Namibia’s fierce sun.
Images of Sossusvlei’s dramatic scenery often dominate travel guides, symbolising Namibia’s stark beauty and its enduring attraction for visitors.
Namibia, once a German colony, remains especially popular with German tourists seeking desert adventures, wildlife safaris, and historic connections.
The country’s tourism ministry estimated around 110,000 German visitors travelled to Namibia during 2024, second only to regional tourists.