Windhoek — Two men were burnt beyond recognition when two trucks travelling in opposite directions collided head-on some 50 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo, on Wednesday night.

The accident occurred on the Otjiwarongo-Okahandja road at around 21h50.

The Otjozondjupa Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Moses Khairabeb, told New Era that one of the truck drivers tried to avoid "something" on the road when the accident happened.

Both trucks caught fire upon impact. One of the truck drivers and his passenger could not free themselves as they were pinned down under the wreckage and were burnt beyond recognition. The truck driver who was travelling alone escaped with minor injuries.

Khairabeb said the fire was so intense that onlookers could not assist the victims.

The two deceased were identified as 32-year-old Kerii 'Digo' Ngumeritiza (driver) and 33-year old John Lous Musongo (passenger). Their next of kin have been informed.

The truck driver who escaped death was identified as Toivo Nehale.

Khairabeb expressed disappointment at the seemingly common practice at accident scenes, where onlookers help themselves to victims' property instead of helping them.

"There were people taking things [at the accident scene]. They must stop that kind of behaviour. Instead of helping the victims they were looting their property," said Khairabeb.

Although some of the looted property were recovered yesterday, the deputy commissioner warned that taking things from accident scenes will not be condoned and perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.