Sunday, August 23, was supposed to mark the closure of the Dar es Salam landfill in Conakry. Instead, it was dedicated to rescue operations after a portion of the site collapsed onto nearby homes during the night from Saturday to Sunday. At least 30 people lost their lives and 22 others were injured in the tragedy, which has reignited anger among residents and raised questions about the closure timeline for this landfill located in the heart of a residential area.
The closure of the Dar es Salam landfill had been announced since June 2026. Operations to clear and secure the surrounding areas due to risks associated with its proximity to homes had been announced weeks prior. A technical mission was deployed from August 8 to 11 to conduct topographical surveys and geotechnical assessments for a gradual and secure closure.
On August 20, three days before the announced closure date, Guinean ministers in charge of Sanitation, Urban Planning, and Land Management met with local residents and landfill workers. “We are now entering the concrete phase of the work,” declared Aboubacar Camara, Minister of Sanitation, Hydraulics, and Hydrocarbons, announcing the arrival of construction teams at the end of August to build a fence and secure the perimeter.
Several preparatory steps had already been initiated. The government planned to transfer waste to Baritodé, in the Kouria neighborhood of Coyah prefecture, which is designated to host the future landfill for Greater Conakry. Once closed, Dar es Salam was slated for a redevelopment and rehabilitation project.
However, hours before the scheduled closure, part of the landfill collapsed around 2:00 AM following heavy rains, sweeping away several homes. The tragedy has sparked anger among local youth, who claim they repeatedly warned authorities about the risks. “We, the youth, did everything to avoid this! We organized meetings and invited officials, but they didn’t take it seriously,” lamented Abou Hamza, a youth leader in Dar es Salam. According to him, residents had been demanding the site’s closure for about a year.
Instead of witnessing the start of the closure, residents, rescue teams, and authorities had to mobilize significant resources on Sunday to search for those buried and recover bodies. The government’s official toll stands at 30 dead and 22 injured. Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site on Sunday, and the government has pledged to provide medical care and assistance to the affected families.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-24 16:38:39 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/guinee-au-moins-30-morts-dans-leboulement-dune-decharge-de-conakry-quelques-heures-avant-la-fermeture-annoncee-du-site/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=guinee-au-moins-30-morts-dans-leboulement-dune-decharge-de-conakry-quelques-heures-avant-la-fermeture-annoncee-du-site