- 4 children die in abandoned freezer in Namibia
- Trapped by outside-opening hook, suffocated after 1.5 hours
- 2 died at scene, 2 at hospital
- Police investigation underway, emphasis on child safety
Tragedy struck in Namibia’s Zambezi Region on Monday afternoon when four young children, aged between three and six, were found trapped inside an abandoned deep freezer in the densely populated town of Katima Mulilo. The children, who were playing in the freezer, accidentally got locked inside and suffocated, according to the police investigation.
The heartbreaking incident has left the community in shock, with many questioning how the non-functional freezer was left outside a house of one of the affected families without proper supervision.
Two of the children suffocated to death inside the freezer, while the other two were rushed to the nearby Katima Mulilo State Hospital, where they were declared dead upon arrival.
Zambezi regional police commander Andreas Shilelo explained that the freezer had a hook that could only be opened from the outside, making it impossible for the children to escape. “They were stuck for about an hour and a half and suffocated,” he said.
The police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, but it’s clear that the children’s tragic deaths could have been prevented.
The community is now calling for increased awareness and vigilance to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring child safety and supervising children at all times.
In the meantime, the families of the victims are struggling to come to terms with their loss, and the community is rallying around them to offer support.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging parents and guardians to be mindful of potential hazards in their surroundings and take necessary precautions to prevent such tragedies.
The incident has sent shockwaves throughout Namibia, highlighting the need for greater awareness and action to prevent child accidents and ensure child safety.
