**Title: Guinea Rubbish Landfill Collapse Claims 30 Lives in Conakry**
At least 30 individuals have lost their lives following a catastrophic collapse of a rubbish mound at a major landfill site in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 02:00 local time, after heavy rainfall had saturated the area, leading to the tragic event.
The government has reported that an additional 22 people sustained injuries, with six of them in serious condition. The collapse affected the Dar-es-Salam neighborhood, where the rubbish slid onto nearby homes, trapping residents beneath the debris.
Local authorities have expressed concerns that the death toll may rise as search and rescue operations continue. Eyewitness accounts reveal the harrowing impact of the disaster, with one woman reporting that she lost all five of her children in the incident. This personal tragedy underscores the profound loss experienced by families in the area.
In response to the disaster, the government has mobilized significant resources, including military personnel, to assist in the search for survivors. Rescuers have been seen using excavators to sift through the scattered rubbish, while local residents gathered nearby, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
Lancine Sylla, a leader in the affected neighborhood, conveyed his fears to the AFP news agency, stating, "We have pulled out 18 bodies that were taken to the morgue." His comments reflect the grim reality facing the community as they grapple with the aftermath of the collapse.
Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah visited the site to assess the situation and oversee the ongoing rescue efforts. His presence highlights the government's commitment to addressing the disaster and providing support to the affected families.
This incident is not the first of its kind; a similar landslide at the same landfill site resulted in the deaths of 10 people in 2017. The recurrence of such tragedies raises questions about waste management practices and the safety of landfill sites in densely populated areas.
As the search for survivors continues, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the loss of life and the devastation inflicted by the landfill collapse. The government is expected to provide further updates as rescue operations progress and more information becomes available.