Landslide at Guinea landfill kills 30, government says

A massive landslide in Conakry, Guinea's capital, claimed the lives of 30 people overnight, according to the government. The disaster unfolded in the Gbessia commune around 2 a.m., triggered by heavy rains that caused a large mound of waste to collapse, engulfing nearby tents and shacks. The death toll stood at 30, with six individuals sustaining serious injuries and an additional 16 suffering from minor injuries, as reported by the government.

Rescue efforts were ongoing at the scene, where witnesses described the landslide as extensive enough to bury an apartment building along with other dwellings. Among the victims was a woman named Cire Diallo, who lost all five of her children and expressed her grief by placing her faith in God. While Guinea is a country rich in natural resources, boasting the world's largest bauxite reserves and the richest untapped iron ore deposit at Simandou, it also grapples with poor infrastructure and widespread poverty.

According to a World Bank report, 3.7 million of the 15.1 million inhabitants of Guinea live on less than $4.20 per day. In response to the incident, the government announced closure of the landfill, citing the imminent danger it posed, especially during the rainy season. The waste was to be relocated outside Conakry.