Breaking News: A massive landfill collapse in Guinea has buried homes and killed at least 30 people.
At least 30 people have died in Conakry, Guinea, after a large landslide engulfed nearby dwellings on Sunday. The disaster occurred at Dar Es Salam, the city’s primary waste disposal site, when a mountainous accumulation of refuse collapsed, burying shacks and trapping residents. Six individuals sustained serious injuries.
The collapse followed heavy rainfall which saturated the landfill, contributing to its instability. According to reports from the Associated Press (AP) and Guinea News, the weight of the waste also caused a three-story building beneath to cave in. Authorities had issued eviction notices to residents near the site and planned to close the landfill on the day of the disaster, citing hazardous conditions. Lt. Col. Baldé Mamadou Bailo, a sanitation officer, noted that previous incidents had raised safety concerns.
However, many residents remained in the area despite warnings. Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Dienabou Touré, pledged to relocate those still living near the site. The AP notes the landfill experienced a similar mudslide in 2017, resulting in at least eight fatalities.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with excavators employed to locate potential survivors. Authorities aim to provide safe relocation for all affected residents.
Reaction & Context
The disaster highlights the dangers posed by poorly managed waste disposal sites, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall. The impending closure of the landfill, delayed by the presence of residents, underscores the difficulties faced in addressing such hazards in densely populated urban areas.
What Happens Next
Rescue efforts will continue, followed by a full assessment of the damage and a relocation of residents. Authorities will likely review safety protocols for waste disposal sites across Guinea to prevent further tragedies.
Sources: Fox News, Associated Press (AP), Guinea News, Reuters.
