AYV News, September 9, 2026
All 65 Sierra Leonean nationals who survived the deadly collapse of the Dar-es-Salam landfill in Conakry, Guinea, have been discharged from hospital and are currently being accommodated at a camp established by the Guinean authorities.
The disclosure was made by Presidential Spokesman Alhaji Alpha Khan, who said the Government of Sierra Leone is working with Guinean authorities to assess the needs of the survivors and determine the appropriate support required in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The disaster occurred on August 23, 2026, after heavy rains triggered the collapse of a massive mound of refuse at the Dar-es-Salam landfill in the Gbessia area of Conakry.
The sudden collapse sent large quantities of waste into nearby homes and informal settlements, trapping residents and leaving several families devastated.
At least 36 people died in the disaster, including 17 Sierra Leonean nationals, while dozens of others were rescued and taken to health facilities for treatment.
With the 65 Sierra Leonean survivors now discharged from hospital, attention has shifted towards their welfare, accommodation and longer-term needs.
Speaking on Wake Up Sierra Leone, Khan said the survivors are currently staying at a camp provided by the Guinean authorities following their release from hospital.
He said the Ministry of Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Guinea, is undertaking an assessment aimed at identifying survivors who may require additional assistance.
“The Minister of Social Welfare, together with the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Guinea, is working to categorize the survivors and identify those who may require additional support. That report will then be compiled to help guide the government’s response,” Khan said.
The assessment is expected to help the government establish the specific circumstances and needs of the affected Sierra Leoneans, while guiding decisions on further humanitarian and social support.
Meanwhile, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has travelled to Guinea to meet with the survivors and convey the government’s solidarity following the disaster.
According to Khan, the Vice President travelled to Guinea on Tuesday and met with the Sierra Leonean survivors at the camp where they are currently being accommodated.
“The Vice President travelled to Guinea yesterday to meet with the Sierra Leonean survivors in the camp and offer his support,” Khan stated.
The Vice President’s visit forms part of the government’s ongoing engagement with the Guinean authorities following the tragedy, which has affected both Guinean and Sierra Leonean communities in Conakry.
For the survivors, being discharged from hospital marks the beginning of another phase of recovery as they adjust to life after the disaster.
The Government of Sierra Leone is expected to use the ongoing assessment to determine the level of assistance required, particularly for survivors whose homes, livelihoods or family circumstances may have been affected by the landfill collapse.
The August 23 disaster has also raised concerns over the safety of communities living close to landfill sites, particularly amid heavy rainfall and other environmental risks.
As the immediate emergency response gives way to longer-term support, authorities in Sierra Leone and Guinea continue to work together to address the needs of those affected.
For the families of the 17 Sierra Leoneans who lost their lives, however, the tragedy remains a painful loss, while the 65 survivors now face the difficult journey of rebuilding their lives after one of Conakry’s most devastating recent disasters.
