Gobabis: Two boys died on Monday after sand from an excavated area collapsed on them at Kanaan C in Epako, Gobabis. The deceased were identified as seven-year-old Paulus Mukuya and 10-year-old Dennis Eiseb.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the police incident report on the matter alleges that a passerby heard cries for help from the excavation site. 'He observed that a large heap of sand had fallen on three minor boys, and he managed to pull them out of the sand they were trapped in. The man further found out from the boys that two other boys were still trapped in the sand,' the police at Gobabis said.

The man was unable to assist further as more sand collapsed and he called the police, who responded to the scene along with the Gobabis Municipality and the Ministry of Health and Social Services. 'They dug until the bodies of the two minors were found. Unfortunately, they suffocated to death,' read the report.

The bodies of the deceased were transported to the Gobabis State Hospital mortuary for autopsies, while the three survivors were also taken to hospital for trauma handling. The next of kin are informed and investigations continue.