Namibia has dispatched over 500 soldiers to assist in combating a massive wildfire that has ravaged approximately 30% of the renowned Etosha National Park in the northern part of the country. The office of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reported on Sunday that an undisclosed number of wildlife perished in the fire, which ignited last Monday and rapidly spread throughout the expansive park.
The fire, which has also encroached upon neighboring villages, has not resulted in any human casualties as confirmed by the president’s office. The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time. Video footage from the national broadcaster NBC depicted charred vegetation and fleeing antelope in the affected areas.
To tackle the blaze, authorities have mobilized helicopters, trucks equipped with water tanks, and a team of 500 soldiers deployed on Sunday, supplementing the initial 40 soldiers sent to the park on Saturday. The statement released by the president’s office revealed that nearly 30% of the park’s grazing lands spanning 22,200 square kilometers have been decimated.
Etosha National Park, a prominent wildlife sanctuary in Africa, is renowned for its seasonal salt pan that transforms into a lake, attracting diverse fauna. Namibia’s Environment Ministry stated separately that the ecological harm to the park is extensive, with the fire scorching almost 7,700 square kilometers of vegetation. The ministry suspects that the fire may have been ignited by a charcoal production operation on a farm bordering the park.
Situated in a hot and arid region of southern Africa, Namibia faced the wildfire during the driest period of the year in Etosha, exacerbating the severity of the situation.
