Guinea searches for survivors after landfill landslides kill 30

A massive landslide at a landfill in Conakry, Guinea claimed the lives of 30 people, according to the government's statement on Sunday. The disaster occurred overnight due to heavy rains that caused a large mound of waste to collapse, engulfing nearby tents and makeshift homes. The incident took place in the Gbessia commune at around 2am local time.

Thirty individuals lost their lives, while six suffered serious injuries and another 16 sustained minor injuries, as reported by the government. Rescue workers are utilizing excavators and other equipment to clear the debris, with witnesses describing the landslide as substantial enough to bury an entire apartment building and other vulnerable structures.

Cire Diallo, a resident who lost five of her children, expressed her anguish, stating, "I have lost all my children. All I can do is put my trust in God." Guinea is home to the world's largest bauxite reserves and a vast untapped iron ore deposit at Simandou, where a major mining project began in November. However, the nation grapples with inadequate infrastructure and widespread poverty, with 3.7 million out of its 15.1 million inhabitants living on less than $4.20 per day, as reported by a World Bank study published in April.

On Thursday, Guinea's Minister of Territorial Administration, Djenab Toure, announced the closure of the landfill due to safety concerns, with the waste to be relocated outside of Conakry. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site on Sunday to evaluate the damage and oversee the rescue efforts, urging the public to remain calm, display solidarity, and adhere strictly to the guidance of rescue services and authorities.