Uganda Landfill Collapse Kills 24, Hopes of Finding Survivors Fading

Rescuers continue to sift through the rubble of a collapsed landfill in Kampala, Uganda, but hopes of finding anyone alive are dwindling, Sky News reports.

The disaster, which struck the Kiteezi landfill on Friday, has now claimed at least 24 lives, including four children.

The Kiteezi landfill, a vast and overflowing waste dumpsite, is known to be a dangerous area frequented by scavengers, particularly women and children, seeking to sell recyclable materials. The collapse is believed to have been triggered by heavy rainfall, but the precise cause remains unclear.

Kampala’s city authority has attributed the collapse to a “structural failure in waste mass,” while Uganda Red Cross spokesperson Irene Nakasiita confirmed that no further rescues are expected. The number of missing individuals remains unknown.

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an investigation into the disaster, questioning the presence of residents near the unstable landfill. He highlighted the hazardous nature of the waste and demanded an explanation for the lack of safety measures.

The tragedy has underscored the precarious living conditions of many Ugandans and raised urgent questions about the safety and management of waste disposal sites in the country.