Namibia Slams Tourists Who Posed Naked On Popular Sand Dune: "Sickening"

Some tourists posing naked atop a popular attraction in the Namib desert has angered authorities in Namibia. According to a BBC report, the incident took place at the Big Daddy Dune, one of the country's top attractions, shocking locals who demanded action against them. It quoted the spokesperson from the tourism ministry as saying that the unnamed foreigners might be blacklisted from entering any of Namibia's parks. Rising in height to around 325 metres, the Big Daddy dune is one of the highest such natural structures in the world.

Photos and videos of the three male tourists posing naked atop the sand dune have gone massively viral on social media.

"It is very sickening and it really creates a bad image for Namibia," Kenneth Nependa, vice-chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, told the Namibian Sun. He added that the Big Daddy dune was not just a relaxing place for tourists but for families too.

Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, termed the behaviour "extremely shocking". He said it was public indecency punishable by Namibian law.

"We appeal to that section of tourists to summon the conscience so that they do the right things," Mr Muyunda said in a statement.

The spokesperson said that the tourists had left Namibia by the time the authorities got to know about the incident.

The tourists' conduct, meanwhile, sparked a debate on social media with some people criticising them while others saying there is "nothing wrong with sunbathing".

According to the official website of the dune, the Big Daddy is not the highest dune in the Namib desert. This honour is given to Dune 7, which has been measured at 388 metres.  Dune 7 earned its name by being the 7th dune along the Tsauchab River.