Guinea Landfill Collapse Kills At Least 30, Reviving Safety Concerns

At least 30 people have died after heavy rains triggered a massive collapse at the Dar Es Salam landfill in Conakry, Guinea, burying nearby homes. Six others were seriously injured as rescue teams searched for victims. The disaster has renewed concerns over unsafe waste sites, particularly as authorities had already planned to close the landfill and had ordered nearby residents to relocate. A similar collapse at the same landfill in 2017 reportedly killed 10 people.

At least 30 people have been killed and six others seriously injured after a massive mound of rubbish collapsed at a landfill in Guinea's capital, Conakry, following heavy overnight rains.
The collapse occurred early Sunday at the Dar Es Salam landfill, the largest open-air waste dump in Conakry. The landslide swept tonnes of waste onto nearby homes and makeshift shelters, trapping residents beneath the debris.
Rescue teams, supported by excavators, were deployed to search for survivors and recover bodies. Authorities warned that the operation could continue as more people may still be buried.

GOVERNMENT HAD PLANNED TO CLOSE THE LANDFILL

The disaster occurred on the same day the Dar Es Salam landfill had been scheduled for closure.
Authorities had already ordered residents living near the dump to leave because of concerns that the unstable waste mound could collapse. Despite the warnings, many people remained in the area when the landslide occurred.
Minister for Territorial Administration Dienabou Touré visited the site and said the government would work to relocate families still living near the landfill to safer areas.
Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah also visited the scene as rescue operations continued.

HEAVY RAINS TRIGGERED THE COLLAPSE

Officials said heavy seasonal rains destabilised the huge mound of accumulated waste, triggering the collapse in the early hours of Sunday.
The incident highlights the risks faced by communities living close to poorly managed waste sites, particularly during the rainy season.
Guinea is rich in natural resources, including bauxite, iron ore and gold, but many communities continue to face poverty and inadequate infrastructure.

PREVIOUS DEADLY COLLAPSE AT THE SAME LANDFILL

The latest disaster is particularly alarming because Dar Es Salam had previously experienced a deadly landfill collapse.
In 2017, a landslide at the same waste site killed 10 people, according to reports.
The earlier tragedy raised concerns about the dangers of allowing people to live and work around unstable waste dumps. Nearly a decade later, the latest collapse has once again demonstrated the consequences of those risks.

AFRICA HAS SEEN SIMILAR LANDFILL TRAGEDIES

Guinea's disaster also recalls other deadly waste-site collapses across Africa.
In Uganda, a major garbage landslide killed people after waste collapsed onto surrounding communities, while Ethiopia has also experienced deadly disasters at large rubbish dumps.
Such incidents have repeatedly highlighted problems including overcrowded landfills, inadequate waste management, weak safety controls and informal settlements located dangerously close to waste sites.

SEARCH FOR VICTIMS CONTINUES

Rescue workers remain focused on finding anyone who may still be trapped beneath the waste.
The government has pledged medical assistance for the injured and support for families affected by the disaster.
The tragedy has renewed calls for authorities to accelerate the closure of dangerous dumps, improve waste-management infrastructure and ensure that residents living in high-risk areas are safely relocated before further disasters occur.