Guinea rubbish landfill collapse kills at least 30 people
A massive rubbish mound collapsed onto homes in Guinea's capital Conakry, killing at least 30 people and injuring 22 others after heavy rain.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- A rubbish mound collapsed onto homes in Conakry, Guinea.
- At least 30 people were killed and 22 others injured.
- Military personnel and excavators deployed for rescue operations.
- A previous landslide at the same site killed 10 people in 2017.
A tragic disaster struck Guinea after a massive mound of waste at a primary disposal site collapsed onto residential houses nearby, resulting in a significant loss of life. The government officially confirmed that at least 30 individuals lost their lives in the catastrophic incident.
The tragedy occurred in the Dar-es-Salam neighborhood of Conakry, the capital city of Guinea. In addition to the fatalities, another 22 people sustained injuries, with six of them listed in serious condition. Authorities reported that the collapse took place at approximately 02:00 local time following torrential rainfall throughout the night.
The government stated that significant resources and personnel, including military forces, have been deployed to search for survivors. Officials expressed grave fears that the death toll will climb further because numerous people remain unaccounted for and are believed to be buried beneath the debris.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
A local woman shared her heartbreak with local media, stating that all five of her children perished in the disaster. Rescuers were subsequently spotted operating heavy excavators to sift through the towering mountain of scattered garbage, while anxious local residents gathered around the perimeter.
"We have pulled out 18 bodies that were taken to the morgue."
Lancine Sylla
Mamadou Oury Bah, Guinea's Prime Minister, traveled to the disaster zone to evaluate the unfolding situation and supervise rescue operations directly. Lancine Sylla, a neighborhood leader, had earlier expressed deep apprehension to news agencies regarding the heavy death toll expected from the accident.
This disaster highlights the critical urban waste management challenges faced by developing nations, where unregulated landfill sites often grow into massive unstable artificial mountains. Extreme weather events, such as heavy overnight rainfall, easily trigger catastrophic structural failures in these unmanaged sites, posing severe, recurring threats to vulnerable communities living nearby.
Records show that this disposal site has a deadly history, as a previous landslide at the exact same location claimed the lives of 10 people back in 2017, underscoring persistent safety issues.
Source: BBC World
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