Guinea Landfill Collapse Claims 31 Lives, Injures Dozens in Conakry
A rubbish dump collapse in Conakry kills 31 and injures 22, burying homes despite prior evacuation orders amid heavy rains.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 24, 2026
2 min read
At least 31 people have died and 22 others injured after a massive rubbish heap collapsed onto residential homes in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. The tragedy struck the Dar-es-Salam neighbourhood shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday, August 24, following heavy overnight rainfall.
The Guinean government reported that six of the injured sustained serious wounds. Rescue operations involving military personnel and emergency teams were launched immediately, with excavators used to clear debris as locals anxiously awaited news of missing loved ones.
Sequence of the Collapse
The landfill gave way in multiple stages. After the initial collapse, many people rushed to the site to assist survivors, climbing onto the unstable rubbish. Eyewitness Robert Kamano Sâa described how a second section then collapsed in three successive waves, causing a large volume of waste to engulf those below.
Several homes were destroyed in the incident. One resident, Mamadouba Bangoura, recounted how the second wave of rubbish pushed his house down, waking his family with the noise. Another woman reported losing all five of her children in the disaster, underscoring the profound human toll.
Concerns Over Safety and Evacuation Orders
The tragedy has reignited concerns about the safety of communities living near the landfill. Authorities had previously instructed residents to relocate due to the risks, but many remained in the area. This is not the first incident at the site; a similar collapse in 2017 claimed 10 lives.
Guinea's Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah visited the disaster zone to oversee rescue efforts. Health Minister Khaïté Sall also met with the injured, assuring free medical care and government support for affected families. Search efforts continue amid fears the death toll may rise.
