Kampala: A horrific accident occurred at the Kiteji landfill in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Friday night. The garbage dump collapsed due to heavy rains, killing at least 18 people and injuring 14 others. The Uganda Red Cross has confirmed the incident.
The Kiteji landfill, which is the disposal site for most of Kampala’s waste, is located on a steep slope. Women and children who collect plastic waste often work at this place. There are also some residential areas nearby. City officials said the accident occurred due to haphazard dumping of garbage.
Uganda Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasita said the operation to retrieve the bodies was ongoing, but rescue operations were being hampered due to rain. This may lead to a further increase in the death toll.
The Kampala Capital City Authority acknowledged the seriousness of the accident and prioritized monitoring the situation and rescue operations.