Heavy Rain Triggers Landfill Collapse
A large section of a landfill collapsed in Conakry following heavy rainfall, sending a huge quantity of garbage onto homes in the surrounding area.
The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. on Sunday in the Dar es Salaam district of Guinea's capital.
18 Bodies Recovered
The scale of the disaster remains unclear as rescue operations continue.
Dar es Salaam district chief Lanciné Sylla told AFP that rescuers had recovered 18 bodies from the rubble and transported them to a hospital morgue in Conakry.
Authorities have not yet issued a final official death toll.
Search for More Victims
Rescue workers have been deployed to search through the debris for people who may still be trapped.
Police were also sent to the affected area as emergency teams worked to clear the collapsed garbage and locate possible survivors.
Government Officials Visit Site
Guinea's Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Djenabou Touré, visited the disaster site on Sunday morning.
She said an official assessment would be made only after search and rescue operations had been completed.
Authorities Had Warned of Landslide Risks
The disaster comes shortly after the government announced measures to remove people from areas around the landfill because of the risk of landslides.
Authorities had also indicated that steps were being taken to secure the surroundings of the landfill.
Waste Management Concerns
The tragedy has renewed concerns about waste management and the safety of communities living close to large landfill sites in Conakry.
Large accumulations of waste can become unstable during periods of heavy rainfall, particularly when water penetrates and weakens the structure of waste slopes.
Final Toll Yet to Be Confirmed
Although the local district chief has reported 18 recovered bodies, the authorities have not yet confirmed the final number of fatalities.
Search operations are continuing, and the government is expected to provide a more comprehensive assessment once the rescue effort is complete.
Conclusion
Heavy rains triggered a deadly landslide at a landfill in Guinea's capital Conakry, sending a large mass of garbage onto nearby homes.
At least 18 bodies have reportedly been recovered, according to a local district official, while rescue teams continue searching the rubble. The final death toll remains unconfirmed.
The disaster has also raised fresh concerns about the safety of communities living near landfills and the need for stronger waste-management and disaster-prevention measures.
