Xpress News24
Tragic incidents driven by extreme weather and administrative negligence continue to emerge worldwide, and a heart-wrenching disaster has now shaken the African nation of Guinea, where a massive garbage dump collapsed due to torrential rains. The devastating landslide in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, has claimed the lives of at least 22 people, while search and rescue operations are running on a war footing amid fears that many others remain trapped under the debris.
Disaster Struck Dar Es Salaam While the City Was Asleep
This harrowing incident took place at the city’s main garbage dumping site located in the Dar Es Salaam area of Conakry, where a colossal mountain of trash suddenly collapsed amid heavy downpours at around 3 AM on Sunday. According to reports, this landfill was situated right next to a residential zone where several impoverished families lived in makeshift huts, and since the disaster struck in the dead of night, most victims were fast asleep and had no chance to escape.
Evacuation Notices Issued Prior, but Tragedy Could Not Be Averted
Following the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Balde Mamadou Diallo, a sanitation officer with the Military Engineering Battalion, made a startling disclosure that this hazardous landfill was officially scheduled to be closed down on Sunday itself. The local administration had previously issued strict eviction notices to residents living nearby, prompting several families to relocate, yet a large number of people still remained behind in those shanties, ultimately falling victim to the catastrophe.
Rescue Operation Underway as Death Toll May Rise
Upon receiving news of the accident, Guinea’s Civil Protection Service and local authorities rushed to the scene to launch an intensive search and rescue operation to pull survivors and victims out from beneath the rubble. Guinea’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Djenabou Toure, also visited the site to take stock of the situation and assured that robust arrangements are being made to safely relocate all remaining families affected by this disaster.
