Derailment interrupts fuel supply at HKIA

A train carrying six wagons derailed this week between Kapps and the Neudammn station. No casualties were reported as a result of the derailment.
The train was pulling four fuel re-tankers and two open wagon tops. The railway runs parallel to the B6 National Road that links Windhoek and Gobabis.
“The train with six wagons, of which four were fuel rail tankers and two open top wagons, was being hauled by one locomotive en route to Hosea Kutako International Airport.
The two open top wagons were used as runners for safety to separate flammable tankers,” said Ailly Hangula-Paulino, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at TransNamib Holdings.
Fuel supplies to the Hosea Kutako International Airport have been interrupted following the derailment.

“The part of railway line where the derailment occurred is damaged and requires to be repaired as a matter of urgency, before fuel can be delivered to the airport via rail.
Our personnel responded swiftly and the recovery teams have been assigned to start immediately with the repair in order to restore operations,” said Hangula-Paulino.
According to Hangula-Paulino, the damaged rail has temporarily been closed off to allow response equipment to be positioned at the scene of the derailment.
She added, “TransNamib is working tirelessly to restore the tracks and continues to work closely with all the affected parties.
Arrangements are being made to transport the fuel to the airport by road in the meantime. The exact cause of the derailment could not be ascertained at this point in time, and an internal investigation was initiated.