A mound of waste collapsed at a landfill in Guinea's capital, Conakry, after heavy overnight rains, burying several homes and killing at least 30 people, officials say.
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Key facts
- At least 30 people were killed in the collapse, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera.
- The disaster occurred at a major waste site in Conakry, Guinea's capital.
- Heavy overnight rains washed over the site and triggered a landslide.
- Several shacks and homes near the landfill were buried.
At least 30 people have been killed after a mound of rubbish collapsed at a major landfill in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, the government says.
According to Al Jazeera and the BBC, heavy overnight rains washed over the waste site and triggered a landslide that buried several shacks and homes located nearby.
Al Jazeera reported that a mound of waste collapsed at the landfill following the heavy rains, engulfing the adjacent dwellings. The government confirmed that several homes were buried by the shifting rubbish, according to the BBC.
Early reporting put the death toll at at least 22 people, but later accounts from both Al Jazeera and the BBC raised the figure to at least 30.
The precise circumstances that led people to be living in shacks near the site were not detailed in the available reports, and further information on rescue efforts and the identities of the victims was not provided in the sources.
Why it matters
The collapse underscores the dangers faced by communities living close to poorly managed waste sites, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. It highlights how extreme weather can turn everyday infrastructure into a deadly hazard for vulnerable populations.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Guinea landfill collapse?
At least 30 people were killed, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera. Earlier reports had put the toll at at least 22.
Where did the landfill collapse happen?
The collapse occurred at a major waste site in Conakry, the capital of Guinea.
What caused the collapse?
Heavy overnight rains washed over the landfill and triggered a landslide that buried several nearby homes and shacks, according to the sources.
Timeline
- Photos: Towering landfill collapse kills 30 in Guinea’s capital, Conakry
Al Jazeera: A landfill collapse in Conakry kills 30, injures six, and destroys homes after heavy rains in Guinea's capital.
- Guinea rubbish landfill collapse kills 31
BBC World: A mound of rubbish at a major waste site buried several homes in the capital, the government says.
- Landfill collapse kills 30 in Guinea’s capital after heavy rains
Al Jazeera: A mound of waste collapsed at a landfill in Conakry, Guinea, after heavy overnight rains, engulfing nearby homes.
- Guinea rubbish landfill collapse kills 30
BBC World: A mound of rubbish at a major waste site buried several homes in the capital, the government says.
- Landfill collapse in Guinea kills at least 22 people
Al Jazeera: Heavy rains wash over the site, triggering a landslide that buries several shacks.
- Landfill collapse in Guinea kills at least 30 people
Al Jazeera: Heavy rains wash over the site, triggering a landslide that buries several shacks.