{
  "id": 2884793,
  "title": "Landslide at waste mound in Guinea capital kills 30, government says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/landslide-at-waste-mound-in-guinea-capital-kills-30-government-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T22:16:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian",
    "slug": "the-guardian",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/23/landslide-waste-mound-conakry-guinea-kills-dozens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A landslide at a waste dump in Conakry, Guinea's capital, claimed the lives of 30 people on Sunday morning, according to the government. The disaster occurred due to heavy rains the night before, causing the site to collapse and engulf nearby tents and shacks. The incident happened less than a week after the government had pledged to close the landfill and relocate the waste, as it posed a significant threat during the rainy season, which frequently leads to landslides and flash floods in underdeveloped cities across West Africa.\n\nThe landslide struck at around 2am in the Gbessia commune, with 30 fatalities confirmed. Six individuals suffered serious injuries, while 16 sustained less severe injuries. Rescue teams employed excavators and other equipment to clear the debris, with witnesses reporting that the landslide was substantial enough to bury an apartment building along with other vulnerable dwellings.\n\nCire Diallo, a resident of the area, recounted her devastating loss: \"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 the richest untapped iron ore deposit, located at Simandou. In November, a massive mining project was initiated in the region. However, the West African nation faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and widespread poverty, with 3.7 million of its 15.1 million inhabitants living on less than $4.20 per day, according to a World Bank report released in April.\n\nOn Thursday, Guinea's Minister of Territorial Administration, Djénabou Touré Camara, announced the closure of the landfill due to safety concerns, stating that the waste would be moved outside Conakry. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site on Sunday to gauge the damage and oversee the rescue efforts, urging the public to remain calm, demonstrate solidarity, and strictly adhere to the instructions provided by rescue services and competent authorities.",
  "summary": "Dump site in Conakry, which minister had just promised to move, collapsed after heavy rain in west African state A landslide at a huge waste dump in Guinea’s capital has killed 30 people, the government said on Sunday, after heavy rains overnight prompted it to collapse, engulfing nearby tents and shacks. The incident occurred less than a week after the government announced plans to close the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}