By Joseph Momoh, D.S. Reporter
FREETOWN — The Government of Sierra Leone has launched efforts to determine the status of Sierra Leonean nationals following a deadly landfill landslide in neighboring Guinea that has left multiple people dead and several others missing.
The incident occurred on August 23, 2026, at the Dar-es-Salam landfill in the Gbessia community of Conakry, when a section of the waste site collapsed, burying people who were scavenging and working in the area. Guinean authorities have since been conducting rescue and recovery operations at the site.
In a press release issued on August 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it is closely monitoring the situation and working with Guinean officials to verify reports that Sierra Leonean citizens may be among those affected. The Ministry noted that the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Conakry has engaged local authorities to obtain accurate information on the safety and whereabouts of nationals in the affected community.
To provide immediate assistance, the Ministry dispatched senior diplomatic representatives to the scene. The team, led by the Deputy Ambassador and the Head of Chancery, has been tasked with assessing the extent of the impact, identifying affected Sierra Leoneans, and coordinating support for victims and their families.
The Ministry stated that it remains in close contact with Guinean authorities and will continue to provide updates to the public as more verified information becomes available from officials on the ground. It also urged Sierra Leoneans living in and around Gbessia to cooperate with embassy officials and report any missing relatives.
The Dar-es-Salam landfill collapse is among the deadliest waste-site disasters recorded in Guinea in recent years and has raised renewed concerns about safety and environmental management at urban dumpsites across the region.
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