At least 24 people were killed when a rubbish dump collapsed in Uganda's capital, Kampala, and rescue teams continued to search the site on Monday, city officials said, The Associated Press reported.
At least four children were among those killed in the Kitige landfill collapse, police told reporters. According to To the outlet.
According to the Associated Press, authorities believe “the structural collapse of the waste mass” was caused by heavy rains.
Ugandan news agency New Vision tweeted photos from the scene and rescue efforts. (Related: Report: Popular fast food chain employee allegedly killed manager, dumped body in trash)
So far, 17 bodies, including children, have been recovered from the rubble following the Kitige landfill collapse.
Learn more | #VisionUpdate 👇📷 https://t.co/o2Mks6v1Sj pic.twitter.com/MCL1mBo7q7
— New Vision (@newvisionwire) August 11, 2024
Uganda Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita told The Associated Press that there was no hope of pulling any more survivors from the rubbish pile, adding that many people had built homes near the pile and had come to the area to scavenge for things to sell.
Uganda's political leaders have acknowledged the tragedy, with President Yoweri Museveni ordering an investigation into the incident.
“The first question that comes to mind is: 'Who would have forced people to live so close to such potentially hazardous and dangerous deposits?' Even without stripping and burying people, the drainage (Ejurigiriro) alone must be hazardous to health,” President Museveni wrote while offering condolences to the families of the victims.
To the people of Uganda, especially the Bazukuru people,
Greetings.
This is to express condolences to the families of those who died yesterday as a result of a section of the trash heap in Kitezhi (Olubungo) breaking off (Kubeguka) and burying people who lived nearby.first…
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 11, 2024
Prime Minister Lobina Nabanja's office tweeted that the government, working with the Uganda Red Cross, “has begun distributing food to displaced residents of Lusanja and Kitetika villages affected by Saturday's rubbish collapse.”
Lillian AberS.G.@Uganda Red Cross,Robert KwesigaFood distribution began today to displaced residents of the villages of Lusanja and Kitetika, which were affected by Saturday's garbage collapse.Uganda Government,translation:,Translator pic.twitter.com/A18SMcKFd8
— Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda (@OPMUganda) August 12, 2024
City officials have been trying for years to shut down the sprawling Kitigi landfill, which the Associated Press reported brings hundreds of garbage trucks to every day.
