Landslide at Conakry waste dump kills 30

A landslide at a large waste dump in Conakry, Guinea’s capital, killed 30 people, the government said on Sunday. Heavy rains that fell overnight caused the site to collapse, engulfing nearby tents and shacks that had been built around the landfill. The disaster occurred less than a week after the Ministry of Environment announced plans to close the dump and relocate the waste, citing the danger it posed during the rainy season, which frequently triggers landslides and flash floods in densely populated, under‑developed West African cities.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of informal settlements that cluster around hazardous sites. Officials said the relocation effort would involve moving the waste to a safer location and improving drainage and monitoring systems to prevent future catastrophes. The government has pledged to accelerate the closure of the dump and to provide assistance to the displaced residents, while investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the collapse.