CONAKRY, Guinea: At least 30 people were killed and six others seriously injured Tuesday after a massive pile of garbage collapsed onto nearby makeshift homes in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, following heavy rainfall, according to local media reports.
The garbage mound suddenly shifted like a landslide and crashed into huts in the area, trapping residents beneath tons of debris.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. while residents were asleep, leaving them little time to escape. Police, local authorities and rescue teams rushed to the scene and worked for several hours to recover bodies and rescue injured people, who were taken to hospitals.
Rescue operations were continuing amid heavy rain, which was hampering efforts to search through the debris. Authorities warned that more people could still be trapped beneath the rubble and that the death toll could rise.
Local authorities declared the area dangerous and introduced additional safety measures to prevent further accidents during the rescue operation.
Officials said a full investigation would be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to the collapse.
More read, Gunmen attack Church camp in Haiti, killing around 40
Earlier, at least 40 people were killed when an armed gang attacked a camp for displaced people near Haiti’s capital, authorities said Tuesday, in another deadly assault amid the country’s escalating gang violence.
The attack took place Sunday night in Kenscoff, a mountainous area southeast of Port-au-Prince. Mayor Massillon Jean said about 40 bodies had been recovered and that the search was continuing, with several people still reported missing.
The attackers stormed a camp established at a church where people displaced by violence had sought refuge. Several victims were killed and others wounded, while some people were reportedly abducted by the gunmen.
