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NEW VEHICLE BURNS DOWN IN KHAUDUM NATIONAL PARK
Claudia Reiter
18 HOURS AGO - 2024-05-30 00:05:00
Windhoek (cr) • On Tuesday afternoon an Ineos Grenadier burned down about 11 km north of the north entrance in Khaudum National Park. “Thank God we arrived at the right time. The two occupants managed to save themselves and stopped us in shock. By acting quickly together, the fire was brought under control with shovels and a lot of sand,” an AZ reader explained to the editorial team.
Accordingly, it is a two-month-old vehicle purchased in Windhoek. According to the owner, a yellow warning light came on and he stopped to investigate. However, when the driver got out, the engine compartment was already on fire.
“This raises serious questions about the off-road capability and safety of INEOS’ new vehicle type. Within seconds everything was on fire. The aluminum engine block is completely melted, as are the doors and parts of the rims,” said the AZ reader. “Initial assumptions point to technical defects that should not occur in an off-road vehicle of this price range and with this standard.” A vehicle fire in Khaudum National Park can have catastrophic consequences for the sensitive ecosystem. “The manufacturer should ensure that its vehicles are truly suitable for extreme conditions to ensure the safety of passengers and the protection of nature.”
The rescuers in distress then took the now stranded Grenadier owners with their last belongings to the park entrance. “We reported the incident to the responsible authorities and gave them the coordinates of the burned-out vehicle. We were very shocked at the composure of the men in charge at the park entrance, which bordered on indifference. There are many people living in small villages in the area north of the Khaudum park boundary whose lives would be in danger if the vegetation was currently completely dried out by a fire.”