Landfill Collapse Kills 30 in Conakry
Heavy Rains Trigger Disaster at Dar Es Salam Site Designated for Closure
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
A refuse collapse at the Dar Es Salam landfill in Conakry, Guinea, killed 30 people early Sunday.
The incident occurred in the Gbessia commune, where the open-air facility was reportedly set to close officially on Sunday.
Locals living around the landfill had received eviction notices, yet many residents were still present at the time of the disaster, authorities claim.
The Government of Guinea announced plans to close the site and relocate the waste less than a week before the landslide.
The waste was to be relocated outside Conakry because the landfill was unsafe, Djénabou Touré Camara claims.
Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site on Sunday to oversee the response.
We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere.
The minister of territorial administration and decentralization, Dienabou Touré, promised government assistance for affected residents, stating, "We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere."
Guinea possesses the world's largest bauxite reserves and rich untapped iron ore deposits, yet the nation struggles with poor infrastructure and widespread poverty.
A significant portion of Guinea's population lives below the poverty line.
I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God.
Cire Diallo, a survivor, expressed profound grief, stating, "I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God."