At least 30 people were killed after a landslide struck a landfill in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, following heavy overnight rain that caused a huge mound of waste to collapse onto nearby tents and makeshift homes.
The disaster occurred less than a week after the government announced plans to shut down the landfill and relocate its waste, citing safety concerns that were particularly serious during the rainy season.
The landslide occurred at around 2am (0200 GMT) in the Gbessia commune of Conakry, according to a government statement. Six people were seriously injured, while another 16 suffered minor injuries.
Rescue teams were deployed to the site and used excavators and other equipment to search through the debris and clear the collapsed waste. Witnesses said the landslide was so extensive that it could have buried an entire apartment building along with nearby makeshift dwellings.
One woman, Cire Diallo, told reporters at the scene that all five of her children had died in the disaster. She said she had lost all her children and could only place her trust in God.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the risks faced by communities living in vulnerable areas of West African cities, where heavy seasonal rainfall can trigger landslides and deadly flash floods.
Guinea is rich in natural resources, including the world’s largest bauxite reserves and the untapped Simandou iron ore deposit, where a major mining project was launched in November. However, the country continues to face widespread poverty and infrastructure challenges.
A World Bank report published in April found that around 3.7 million of Guinea’s 15.1 million people live on less than US$4.20 a day.
Guinea’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Djenab Toure, announced on Thursday that the landfill would be closed because it was considered unsafe. The waste is expected to be relocated to a site outside Conakry.
Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the landfill on Sunday to assess the damage and oversee the emergency response, while the government urged residents to remain calm, support one another and follow instructions from rescue teams and authorities.
