Guinea rubbish landfill collapse kills 31 in Conakry

by | Aug 24, 2026 | Top Stories

Guinea rubbish landfill collapse kills 31 in Conakry

A catastrophic collapse at a landfill in the Dar-es-Salam area of Conakry resulted in significant loss of life, with authorities confirming at least 31 deaths and 22 additional injuries. The incident occurred in the early morning hours following heavy precipitation that destabilized the waste mound. Emergency response efforts mobilized extensively, with military personnel and substantial search resources deployed to locate survivors trapped beneath the debris.

Rescue operations proceeded throughout the day, with excavation equipment brought to the site to sift through scattered refuse. Local community leaders reported retrieving multiple bodies and transporting them to medical facilities. Health officials announced that injured individuals would receive treatment at no cost, while government representatives pledged support to affected families. A woman reported that five of her children perished in the disaster, and concerns remained that the confirmed casualty count could increase as rescue efforts continued.

Guinea’s leadership responded directly to the emergency, with the Prime Minister visiting the scene to oversee operations and coordinate response efforts. Medical officials visited hospitalized victims to assess their conditions. The incident reflected a longstanding hazard at the location, as a similar landslide at the same site had claimed 10 lives in 2017.

Authorities had previously issued an evacuation notice for residents living adjacent to the landfill, though many individuals chose to remain in their homes. Political figures, including an opposition leader currently residing abroad, characterized the disaster as a significant tragedy for the nation. The landfill closure had been scheduled to take effect on this date, raising questions about operational safety preceding the collapse.

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