Deadly landfill slide in Conakry leaves at least 30 dead

A towering heap of rubbish at a major waste site on the outskirts of Conakry collapsed on Tuesday, burying several nearby houses and killing at least 30 people, the Guinean government said. Emergency crews, including the army, fire services and local volunteers, rushed to the scene with excavators and heavy machinery to dig through the debris and search for survivors. The sudden slide covered a residential block, trapping families inside makeshift shelters that had been built close to the dump.

Officials confirmed that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to work through the unstable pile. Dozens of residents were rescued alive, though many remain injured and in need of medical attention. The government has declared a period of mourning and promised to provide assistance to the families of the victims.

The tragedy highlights long‑standing challenges in waste management across Guinea and other West African cities, where rapid urban growth has outpaced the development of safe disposal facilities. Local authorities have faced criticism for allowing informal settlements to spring up near the dump, exposing residents to hazards such as landslides, fires and disease.

President Mamadi Doumbouya expressed his sorrow, ordering a thorough investigation into the causes of the collapse and urging swift action to improve waste‑handling practices. He also called on international partners for technical support, noting that the incident underscores the need for better urban planning and infrastructure.

In the meantime, humanitarian groups are distributing food, water and temporary shelter to those displaced by the disaster. The site remains cordoned off while engineers assess its stability, and officials have warned residents to stay clear of the area until it is deemed safe. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost when rapid urbanisation meets inadequate public services.