Guinea's government says at least 30 people have died after a massive mound of waste collapsed onto homes near the Dar Es Salam landfill in Conakry, with rescue teams continuing to search the debris.
CONAKRY, Guinea — August 24, 2026 — The death toll from a deadly landslide at a landfill in Guinea's capital has risen to 30, as emergency crews continue searching for people who may still be trapped beneath collapsed waste and debris.
The disaster struck at around 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, in the Dar Es Salam area of Conakry's Gbessia commune after heavy overnight rain destabilized a massive mound of refuse and sent it crashing onto nearby homes and makeshift dwellings.
According to a Reuters report carried by The Star, Guinea's government said 30 people had been killed, six were seriously injured and another 16 suffered lighter injuries.
Authorities said excavators and rescue teams were working through the collapsed landfill to search for anyone who may still be buried, rescue victims and recover bodies.
Rescue operation continues in Conakry
The scale of the collapse has left emergency workers clearing large sections of compacted rubbish and debris from structures built close to the landfill.
The Associated Press reported that the landslide buried nearby shacks and destroyed several homes, while search-and-rescue teams remained at the scene looking for survivors.
Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the disaster site on Sunday to assess the damage and oversee the government's response.
Officials have urged residents to follow instructions from rescue services while authorities continue assessing the full impact of the collapse.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Guinea Landfill Landslide Kills 30 as Search Continues
Aug 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
Guinea's government says at least 30 people have died after a massive mound of waste collapsed onto homes near the Dar Es Salam landfill in Conakry, with rescue teams continuing to search the debris.
CONAKRY, Guinea — August 24, 2026 — The death toll from a deadly landslide at a landfill in Guinea's capital has risen to 30, as emergency crews continue searching for people who may still be trapped beneath collapsed waste and debris.
The disaster struck at around 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, in the Dar Es Salam area of Conakry's Gbessia commune after heavy overnight rain destabilized a massive mound of refuse and sent it crashing onto nearby homes and makeshift dwellings.
According to a Reuters report carried by The Star, Guinea's government said 30 people had been killed, six were seriously injured and another 16 suffered lighter injuries.
Authorities said excavators and rescue teams were working through the collapsed landfill to search for anyone who may still be buried, rescue victims and recover bodies.
Rescue operation continues in Conakry
The scale of the collapse has left emergency workers clearing large sections of compacted rubbish and debris from structures built close to the landfill.
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The Associated Press reported that the landslide buried nearby shacks and destroyed several homes, while search-and-rescue teams remained at the scene looking for survivors.
Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the disaster site on Sunday to assess the damage and oversee the government's response.
Officials have urged residents to follow instructions from rescue services while authorities continue assessing the full impact of the collapse.
Landfill had already been identified as dangerous
The disaster occurred just days after the government announced plans to close the Dar Es Salam landfill because of safety concerns.
Reuters reported that Territorial Administration Minister Djenabou Touré announced on Thursday that the site would be closed and waste moved outside Conakry because the landfill posed a danger, particularly during the rainy season.
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The AP also reported that the landfill had been scheduled for closure on Sunday, the same day the collapse occurred. Authorities had issued evacuation notices to people living nearby, although some residents remained in the area when the landslide struck.
Touré said the government would relocate the remaining families living around the landfill to safer areas.
Heavy rains triggered the collapse
Authorities said intense rainfall washed over the accumulated refuse before the collapse.
A separate ABC News report carrying AFP coverage said significant human and material resources had been deployed to search for people who might still be buried.
The incident highlights the danger posed by large open-air waste sites during Guinea's rainy season, when flooding and landslides can become more frequent in densely populated urban areas.
The Dar Es Salam site is described as the largest landfill in Conakry and is surrounded by residential areas where some families live in informal or vulnerable housing.
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Authorities promise relocation and assistance
The Guinean government says medical assistance is being provided to the injured and support will be given to people affected by the disaster.
Authorities have also pledged to move families still living near the landfill as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The casualty count remains subject to change while crews search the site. As of the latest official update, the government has confirmed 30 deaths, six serious injuries and 16 lighter injuries.
The focus now remains on finding anyone who may still be trapped and securing the surrounding area to prevent further casualties.
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