All 96 trapped Fish River Canyon hikers rescued

Staff Reporter

ALL 96 hikers trapped in the Fish River Canyon due to flooding and rising water levels have been safely evacuated by the Namibian Police, with no injuries reported among those rescued, including several children who were hiking with their parents.

The successful rescue operation brought to an end an emergency response launched after heavy rainfall, the opening of the Naute Dam sluice gates and overflow from the Neckartal Dam caused water levels in the canyon to rise sharply, trapping nine hiking groups inside the canyon.

Several of the rescued hikers described dramatic scenes as floodwaters swept through parts of the canyon during their excursion.