Landslide at Guinea's Conakry waste dump kills 30 after heavy rain

A landslide at a major waste dump in Guinea's capital Conakry killed 30 people and injured at least 22 others early Sunday after heavy overnight rain caused the site to collapse in the Gbessia commune, according to The Guardian. The disaster struck at approximately 2 am local time (0200GMT), engulfing nearby tents and makeshift shacks where residents had settled.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site Sunday to assess the damage and oversee response efforts, government sources said. Authorities reported that six people sustained serious injuries while 16 others suffered minor wounds.

Safety Warnings

The incident occurred less than one week after officials announced plans to permanently close the landfill and relocate its contents due to persistent safety concerns, particularly regarding the vulnerability of the site during the rainy season. The government urged residents to "remain calm, show solidarity, and strictly follow the instructions of rescue services and the competent authorities."

Rescue teams deployed excavators and heavy machinery to clear debris from the Gbessia commune, while witnesses told local media that the landslide was powerful enough to bury an apartment building alongside the makeshift homes clustered near the dump.

Personal Toll

Among the victims were five children from a single family. Cire Diallo, a local resident, told reporters that the landslide had claimed her entire family. "I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God," she said, according to The Guardian.

Rescue teams continued search operations through Sunday as authorities worked to clear the remaining debris from the Gbessia commune. The death toll is expected to rise as recovery efforts proceed.