39 missing as death toll from Uganda garbage landslide rises to 26
Africa
By
AFP
| Aug 15, 2024
At least 39 people are still missing following a massive garbage landslide in the Ugandan capital Kampala at the weekend that has claimed 26 lives so far, police said Wednesday.
The dumpsite in the northern district of Kiteezi collapsed on Saturday after heavy rains, burying people, homes and livestock in mountains of fetid rubbish.
"Thirty-nine people were registered as missing," Kampala metropolitan police spokesman Patrick Onyango said, adding that the death toll had risen to 26.
"These include 35 community members and four garbage collectors," he said, drawing information from a preliminary recovery operation.
An official previously said that at least five children were among those killed.
READ MORE
DR Congo, M23 fighters trade accusations over ceasefire
Angola proposes new DR Congo ceasefire
South Africa to withdraw troops from UN mission in DR Congo
Kipyegon among super-fast stars invited for Sirikwa Classic XC tour
Deadly landslide strikes M23 held mining site in DRC
DR Congo city residents forced to adapt during year of M23 rule
South Korean ex-PM Han gets 23 years jail for martial law role
Uhuru warns against fragmented peace talks for eastern DRC
In east DR Congo, minors face systematic risk of sexual violence
Excavators have been churning through the huge rubbish mounds as the desperate search for survivors continues following the collapse.
Several areas in Uganda and other parts of East Africa have been battered by heavy rains recently, including Ethiopia, the second most populous country on the continent.
Devastating mudslides in a remote mountainous area in southern Ethiopia last month killed around 250 people.