Conakry: The death toll from a landslide at a landfill in Guinea's capital, Conakry, rose to 30 after residents and rescue workers concluded their search on Sunday, the government said.
The landslide which occurred at the Dar-es-Salam landfill in the Gbessia commune of Conakry, destroyed several houses and left 22 injured, according to Guinea's emergency authorities.
The bodies were taken to Donka Hospital as rescue operations continued at the site.
According to officials, heavy overnight rains triggered the collapse of a massive mound of waste, engulfing nearby tents and shacks.
The incident occurred less than a week after the government announced plans to close the site and relocate the waste because of the threat it posed, particularly during the ongoing rainy season. Heavy rains during this period frequently cause landslides and deadly flash floods in crowded, underdeveloped cities across parts of West Africa.
Residents and rescue workers searched through the rubble in Conakry, while bulldozers cleared debris and volunteers looked for bodies.
Mamadouba Bangoura, a resident who was at home when the incident occurred, said he heard a loud noise at around 2 a.m. He went outside with relatives to see what was happening before a second wave of rubbish struck and brought down the house.
The landslide which occurred at the Dar-es-Salam landfill in the Gbessia commune of Conakry, destroyed several homes and left 22 injured, according to Guinea's emergency authorities.
The bodies were taken to Donka Hospital as rescue operations continued at the site.