A tragic landslide at a garbage landfill in Conakry, Guinea, has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals, with further casualties reported. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 23, at approximately 2 a.m. local time, at the Dar Es Salam landfill, the largest site of its kind in the capital.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Guinea-Landslide-2-082426-067199284cf245e29b743426038521a6.jpg)
The landslide led to the destruction of several nearby homes, leaving six people with serious injuries and another 16 sustaining minor injuries. The Guinean government confirmed the fatalities and injuries in an official statement. The victims of the disaster are currently receiving medical treatment at the Donka University Hospital.
Witnesses at the scene have recounted harrowing tales of loss. One resident, Cire Diallo, shared with reporters her devastating experience, stating that she lost all five of her children in the landslide. “I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God,” she lamented, illustrating the profound personal tragedy caused by the disaster.
The landslide reportedly followed extensive rainfall in the region, which may have contributed to the instability of the landfill site. In response to the crisis, the government has launched a search and rescue operation, enlisting aid from local Red Cross volunteers, defence and security forces, as well as medical teams to recover any remaining individuals trapped under the debris.
Guinea’s Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, visited the landfill shortly after the incident to supervise the ongoing rescue efforts. He expressed his condolences to the families affected and assured them of the government’s commitment to providing assistance during this challenging time.
The Dar Es Salam landfill had been scheduled for closure on the very day of the landslide, with Officials highlighting its unsafe conditions. Reports indicate that Djenab Toure, the Minister of Territorial Administration, confirmed that plans were in place to relocate waste storage outside the city to prevent further tragedies.
Residents near the landfill had been issued eviction notices prior to the site’s closure, but many were still living in the area when the disaster struck. The authorities are now faced with the urgent task of providing immediate aid to the affected families while ensuring no further loss of life occurs.
As recovery efforts continue, the government has vowed to address the underlying issues that led to this catastrophic event. The community mourns the unspeakable loss of life while grappling with the immediate need for safety and relocation as they come to terms with the tragedy that has unfolded in their neighbourhood.