According to multinational security firm, Garda World, the train came off the tracks after four TransNamib locomotives derailed as it was approaching the shunting yard area of the station.
It remains unclear what led to the derailment but eyewitnesses said the train was speeding as it approached a curve in the track.
This was confirmed by Adri Goosen, chief of the Swakopmund Fire Brigade.
“This is what happens when you go too fast,” one bystander said.
The CEO of Namibia’s freight rail company, Johny Smith, said the incident was receiving emergency attention and that TransNamib was investigating the cause of the accident.
The train, loaded with coal and box cargo, was on its way to the Port of Walvis Bay when it derailed.
Smith confirmed that what was known at this stage was that the damage was extensive, both to infrastructure and cargo.
Besides mangled locomotives, footage seen by Freight News shows wrecked containers belonging to the likes of Hamburg Süd and Macs strewn along the affected line.
Freight rail concerns dealing with the Port of Walvis Bay have been asked to plan for delays in the area affected by yesterday's train carnage.
WATCH: More photos from yesterday’s Swakopmund goods train accident that claimed the life of an assistant locomotive driver.
