Landslide at Guinea capital waste mound kills 30, government says

A devastating landslide at a massive waste dump in Guinea's capital has killed at least 30 people, according to a government statement released Sunday. Heavy rains overnight caused the mound to collapse, engulfing nearby tents and shacks where residents lived.

The disaster struck less than a week after the government had announced plans to close the hazardous site. Officials stated the waste would be relocated outside Conakry due to the threat it posed, particularly during the rainy season which frequently causes landslides and fatal floods in densely populated, underdeveloped West African cities.

The landslide occurred around 2 a.m. in the Gbessia commune of Conakry. In addition to the 30 deaths, six people sustained serious injuries and 16 more suffered minor ones. Rescue teams are on site, using heavy machinery to clear the debris. Witnesses described the landslide as large enough to bury an apartment building.

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I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God.

One woman, Cire Diallo, told reporters at the scene that all five of her children were killed in the incident. "I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God," she said. Guinea, a nation rich in bauxite and iron ore, struggles with poor infrastructure and widespread poverty, with millions living on less than $4.20 a day.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the landfill on Sunday to oversee the response. The government urged citizens to remain calm, show solidarity, and follow the instructions of rescue services.

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remain calm, show solidarity, and strictly follow the instructions of rescue services and the competent authorities