By: Wonder Guchu
The environment and tourism ministry say they are waiting for the police to conclude an investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a French tourist in Namibia last week.
Nicolas Remondiere (54) went missing while hiking in the Sossusvlei area, and his body was later found on Friday morning.
Police chief inspector Elifas Kuwinga told the media last week that Remondiere, who was part of a group of tourists, went missing around 09h00 in the Deadvlei area on Thursday.
The Informante quoted Delphine Ilunga, owner of Furaha Tours and Safaris, saying that Remondiere got tired and was asked to walk back to the 4×4 parking area or go to the meeting point at Deadvlei where the other five were heading.
According to Informante, when the others arrived at Deadvlei, Remondiere was nowhere. Neither was he at the 4×4 parking area.
Kuwinga said the tour guide reported the tourist missing, and the police, together with rangers and ministry of tourism staff, launched a search.
The Informante said later the Sossusvlei Lodge used its helicopter to help in the search.
The search party found Remondiere’s body on Friday at Deadvlei around 10h00.
Environment spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told The Villager on Saturday that they want to understand what informed the tour guide to ask the tourist to go back on his own.
Muyunda also said they would want to establish any negligence on the party of the tour guide and whether any due diligence was done.
He further said if need be, the ministry would also probe if the NTB asked them to do so.
According to Muyunda, losing tourists is a painful and sad thing.
“As the authority, we want is that Namibia is a safe destination and issues of people dying is regrettable,” he said.
He advised those planning to visit Namibia to research the country’s conditions, especially weather conditions.
“Namibia is a very hot country. There is a big change when people come from Europe to Namibia. People must be prepared and carry water and food when they go out to explore,” Muyunda said.