Landfill Collapse in Conakry Kills at Least 30 People

At least 30 people died when a large section of the main landfill in Conakry, Guinea, collapsed on Sunday. Officials said the mountainous heap of refuse gave way without warning, burying people who lived or worked near the site.

The dump is the largest in the capital and has long been a source of informal employment for scavengers who sort recyclable materials. Residential areas have expanded close to its edges as the city grows.

Rescue teams using heavy equipment and hand tools searched through the debris. Survivors were pulled out in the hours after the collapse. The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered.

Local authorities described the site as unstable after recent rains. Waste management in Conakry has struggled with volume, limited equipment and inadequate engineering controls. Previous smaller slides had been recorded but did not produce mass casualties.

The government ordered an immediate suspension of scavenging at the site and began an assessment of other dumps around the city. International organisations that work on urban waste and disaster risk offered technical support.

Guinea's capital has faced repeated challenges with informal settlements and environmental hazards. The landfill collapse highlights the human cost when rapid urbanisation outpaces basic infrastructure and safety regulation.

Families of the missing gathered near the site seeking information. Officials said identification of victims would take time because many of those who worked at the dump lacked formal records.

Investigators will examine whether heavy rain, overloading or structural failure of the waste pile was the primary trigger. Results of that inquiry will determine any further regulatory changes.