Uganda landfill collapse kills 12 after heavy rains

The death toll from a massive landfill collapse in the Ugandan capital Kampala on Saturday (August 11) has risen to 12, police said Sunday. Homes, people and livestock were submerged under mountains of waste at the Kiteezi landfill following a landslide triggered by heavy rains, according to local media.

“We have so far recovered 12 bodies from the garbage heap and rescued 14 people alive”Kampala police said. “The rescue operation will continue until we are sure that no one is trapped under the rubbish”she assured, adding that several animals had been rescued alive, including a dog.According to our estimates, around 1,000 people were displaced by the incident.”she added.

Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago said the 14-hectare Kiteezi landfill site was full to bursting. “It’s a disaster and it had to happen”he added. Eight months ago, a local official described the situation at the dump as “national crisis”.