Wildfire in Namibia is contained, says PM, after criticism of response

A third of Etosha national park has been burned despite efforts of volunteers, who say troops were sent in too late

Wildfires that have raged through one of Africa’s largest national parks were under control, Namibia’s government has said, amid criticisms from citizen firefighters over the lack of a national disaster response mechanism and limited resources.

Fire broke out in Etosha national park, in the arid desert nation’s north, on 22 September. The government said it suspected charcoal production next to the park, which is home to 114 mammal species including the critically endangered black rhino, was to blame.

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