Guinea landfill landslide kills 30 in capital Conakry

At least 30 people were killed when a landslide struck a landfill in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, after heavy overnight rains caused a massive mound of waste to collapse onto nearby tents and makeshift homes, the government said on August 23.

The landslide occurred at around 2 a.m. local time in the Gbessia commune, according to a government statement. Six people were seriously injured and another 16 sustained minor injuries, Reuters reports.

Rescue teams were using excavators and other equipment to clear the debris. Witnesses said the landslide was large enough to bury an apartment building as well as several makeshift structures.

One woman, Cire Diallo, told reporters at the scene that her five children were killed. "I have ‌lost all ⁠my children. All I can do is put my trust in God," she said.

The disaster occurred less than a week after the government announced plans to close the landfill and relocate its waste because of safety concerns, particularly during the rainy season, when landslides and flash floods frequently affect densely populated areas of West Africa.

Guinea’s Minister of Territorial Administration Djenab Toure announced the landfill’s closure on Thursday, saying the site was unsafe and that the waste would be moved outside Conakry.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site on Sunday to assess the damage and oversee the emergency response. The government urged residents to "remain calm, show solidarity, and strictly follow the instructions of rescue services and the competent authorities."

By Sabina Mammadli