30 killed in landslide at Guinea’s Conakry waste dump after heavy rain

A landslide at a large waste dump in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, killed 30 people and injured at least 22 others after heavy overnight rain caused the site to collapse, media reports said Sunday.

The landslide struck at about 2 am local time (0200GMT), engulfing nearby tents and shacks in the Gbessia commune, according to The Guardian.

The government said six people were seriously injured and 16 others sustained minor injuries.

The incident occurred less than a week after authorities announced plans to close the landfill and relocate the waste because of safety concerns, particularly during the rainy season.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site Sunday to assess the damage and oversee response efforts.

The government urged residents to “remain calm, show solidarity, and strictly follow the instructions of rescue services and the competent authorities.”

Rescue teams used excavators and other equipment to clear debris, while witnesses said the landslide was large enough to bury an apartment building along with nearby makeshift homes.

One resident, Cire Diallo, told reporters that her five children were killed in the disaster.

“I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God,” the outlet quoted her as saying.