Over 30 dead in landslide at garbage dump in Conakry

 

TT

 

Published 19.10Updated 20.39

 

Rescue workers and residents at the severe landslide at a garbage dump in Guinea's capital Conakry. Photo: AFP/TT

The mountain-like garbage dump Dar Es Salam in Guinea's capital Conakry collapsed on Sunday.

At least 30 people have been confirmed dead at the dump, which was supposed to be closed the same day.

Torrential rains increased in strength during the night to Sunday. By morning, the garbage dump used by Conakry, with 1.5 million inhabitants, had been saturated by the heavy rain, triggering a landslide.

The garbage flood overflowed and buried simple settlements nearby. At least six people were seriously injured, the civil protection authority reported. The search for more victims was ongoing during the evening.

According to Baldé Mamadou Bailo, responsible for waste management at the engineering battalion that manages the dump, the site in question was scheduled to be completely closed on Sunday.