At least 17 people have died in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on Monday after heavy rains caused a massive, three-story tall garbage pile to collapse. Victims were buried by debris and half a dozen homes in the surrounding area were destroyed, according to the Associated Press.
As many as 17 killed when heavy rains cause partial collapse of huge garbage mound in Mozambique's capital. https://t.co/UFaMoTfSP4
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 19, 2018
The Hulene landfill is the largest trash disposal facility in Maputo, and health officials have cautioned of the dump’s environmental and health hazards in the past, yet nothing has been done to improve the safety of the area. National Disaster official Fatima Belchoir stated, “The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences.” Located in the outskirts of Mozambique’s capital, the landfill attracted many of the impoverished residents of the area in search of “food or items to sell,” AP says.
At least 17 people were killed after a 50-foot pile of garbage collapsed on homes during heavy rain in Mozambique.
It happened in an impoverished area where homes were built illegally near the Hulene landfill. pic.twitter.com/m0QfHOPLRu
— AJ+ (@ajplus) February 19, 2018
As of now, the official death toll is at 17, but authorities believe it is possible that more bodies are buried underneath the piles of debris.
Source: Complex News