KAMPALA (Reuters) – The number of people killed when a mountain of garbage collapsed in Uganda’s capital last week has risen to 35, 12 of whom were young people, police said on Friday. As the Uganda landslide death toll continues to rise, emergency services are struggling to keep up with the demand for support and resources. #UgandaLandslideDeathToll
At least 28 others are still missing.
The accident occurred late last Friday when a large chunk broke off the trash mound at Kiteezi landfill near Kampala. Dozens of homes were buried while residents slept.
Nine more bodies have been retrieved since Wednesday, when 26 were reported dead.
Police said in a statement on the tragedy that it had been hard to identify some of the new bodies as they were in such bad shape.
The landslide followed torrential rains that battered parts of East Africa recently, causing extensive flooding and damage.
Residents near the landfill have long complained about hazardous waste polluting the environment. This landfill has been Kampala’s only waste dump for decades.
Similar tragedies elsewhere in Africa from poorly managed mountains of municipal trash include a 2017 incident in Ethiopia in which at least 115 people were killed.
Furthermore, local authorities are working to address the aftermath of the disaster. They are focusing on providing aid to the affected families. #UgandaLandslideDeathToll
Consequently, the government faces mounting pressure to prevent future tragedies. Efforts are underway to assess and mitigate the risks associated with such landslides. The increasing Uganda landslide death toll serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies.
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