A landslide at the Dar Es Salam garbage landfill outside Conakry killed at least 30 people [1] and left others injured.
The disaster highlights the extreme vulnerability of informal settlements located near waste sites, where torrential weather can turn industrial refuse into lethal mudslides.
Guinean government authorities and civil protection services are leading searches for survivors [1]. The collapse occurred at the Dar Es Salam landfill, located on the outskirts of the capital city [1]. While some reports indicate at least 22 people died [3], other sources confirm the death toll has reached at least 30 [1].
Heavy torrential rain triggered the collapse of the waste mound [2]. The resulting slide caused nearby homes to collapse, trapping residents under debris [2]. In addition to the fatalities, 22 people were reported injured [2].
Rescue teams are working through the waste and rubble to locate missing persons. The instability of the landfill continues to pose a risk to first responders as they navigate the site. Local authorities said they are coordinating the recovery efforts to ensure all victims are accounted for.
This incident follows a pattern of weather-related disasters in the region, where inadequate waste management infrastructure often intersects with high-density residential areas. The collapse of the mound demonstrates the danger of maintaining large-scale landfills in areas prone to heavy seasonal rainfall.
“A landslide at the Dar Es Salam garbage landfill outside Conakry killed at least 30 people.”
The tragedy at Dar Es Salam underscores the systemic risks associated with urban waste management in Guinea. When landfills are not engineered to withstand heavy precipitation, they become environmental hazards for the impoverished populations who often build homes on the periphery of these sites. This event likely increases pressure on the Guinean government to reform landfill safety standards and relocate residents from high-risk zones.
