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Guinea Landfill Collapse

A landslide at a landfill in Guinea's capital, Conakry, has killed at least 30 people, according to the government. The incident occurred after heavy rains overnight prompted the collapse of a massive mound of waste that engulfed nearby tents and shacks. The landslide took place at around 2 a.m. In the Gbessia commune of Conakry, with rescue workers using excavators and other tools to clear the site. The death toll was reported to be 30, with six people seriously injured and 16 more lightly injured, according to a government statement. Witnesses described the landslide as large enough to bury an apartment building, along with more precarious dwellings. One woman, Cire Diallo, told reporters at the scene that her five children were killed in the disaster. "I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God," she said. The government had announced plans to close the site and relocate the waste just days before the incident, due to the threat it posed, especially during the ongoing rainy season. Guinea's minister of territorial administration, Djenab Toure, had stated that the landfill was unsafe and that the waste was to be relocated outside Conakry. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the landfill on Sunday to assess the damage and supervise the response, urging people to "remain calm, show solidarity, and strictly follow the instructions of rescue services and the competent authorities." The disaster has highlighted the poor infrastructure and widespread poverty in Guinea, where 3.7 million of its 15.1 million people live on less than $4.20 per day, according to a World Bank report. The country holds the world's largest bauxite reserves and richest untapped iron ore deposit, but the benefits of these resources have not trickled down to the majority of the population. This is not the first time a collapse has occurred at the landfill. A previous collapse in 2017 killed 10 people, and the site has been a source of concern for local residents and authorities. In the aftermath of the disaster, rescue teams are working to search for survivors and clear the site, while the government is urging people to remain calm and follow instructions from rescue services. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of landfills and waste management in Guinea, and the need for urgent action to address the issue.

Response and Aftermath

The government has deployed emergency personnel, military units, and equipment to search for survivors and respond to the disaster. Prime Minister Bah's visit to the site has been seen as a sign of the government's commitment to addressing the issue and providing support to affected families. However, the incident has also raised questions about the government's handling of waste management and the safety of landfills in Guinea. The fact that the landfill was scheduled to be closed and relocated just days before the incident has sparked concerns about the government's response to the issue. As the rescue efforts continue, the focus will shift to providing support to affected families and addressing the underlying issues that contributed to the disaster. The incident has highlighted the need for urgent action to improve waste management and address the poverty and infrastructure challenges facing Guinea.