Guinea rubbish dump collapse kills 30, injures 22 in Conakry

At least 30 people have been confirmed dead after a mound of rubbish at a major waste disposal site collapsed onto nearby homes in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, according to the government. The collapse occurred in the city's Dar-es-Salam area during the early hours of the morning, following heavy overnight rainfall.

The government said 22 other people were injured, including six who are in serious condition. It added that substantial resources and personnel, including the military, have been deployed to search for survivors. Rescue teams are using excavators to clear through the debris as local residents gather nearby, many anxiously awaiting news of missing relatives.

Speaking to local media, one woman reported that her five children had died in the collapse. There are fears that the death toll may rise further as the search operation continues, and community members have speculated that the number of casualties could increase significantly.

Guinea's Prime Minister, Mamadou Oury Bah, visited the scene to assess the situation and oversee rescue efforts. Lancine Sylla, a neighbourhood leader, had earlier told AFP news agency that he feared a heavy death toll. "We have pulled out 18 bodies that were taken to the morgue," he said.

This is not the first such tragedy at this location. In 2017, a similar landslide at the same waste site killed at least ten people. The incident highlights the persistent risks faced by communities living in close proximity to large, unmanaged waste dumps, particularly during the rainy season when heavy rainfall can destabilise accumulated mounds.

The waste site, one of the largest in Conakry, serves a city with a population of more than two million people. Many residents have built informal settlements around the dump due to a lack of affordable housing, exposing them to significant environmental and safety hazards. The collapse has brought renewed attention to the broader issue of urban waste management in the region.

In a statement, the government extended condolences to the families of the victims and pledged support for those affected. Officials have promised a thorough investigation into the causes of the collapse and said they would take steps to mitigate further risks in the area. Rescue operations have been prioritising the search for survivors, with teams working through unstable terrain to reach those who may be trapped.

The tragedy has also raised questions about the enforcement of safety regulations around waste sites and the need for more permanent housing solutions for vulnerable populations. Authorities have appealed for calm and urged residents to cooperate with rescue teams. As the search continues, the focus remains on saving lives and providing relief to the injured and displaced.