Uganda: Coal mine collapse kills 22 people
Following the collapse of a massive garbage mound in Uganda's capital Kampala, the death toll has risen to at least 22. "We have recovered 22 bodies and many more are believed to be trapped under the rubble," police spokesman Patrick Onyango told the German Press Agency. The Ugandan Red Cross also expects the death toll to rise further. "The chances of finding more survivors are slim," said spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita. Rescue efforts continue.
Heavy rain on Saturday caused vast amounts of garbage to slide off the hill in Kampala's suburb of Kiteezi, burying nearby houses. On Sunday, authorities initially reported at least 16 deaths.
The Red Cross has set up a camp to accommodate affected families. Since Saturday, rescue teams have pulled dozens of people alive from the rubble, who now urgently need psychological and medical support, said Nakasiita.
Kampala's city administration has long complained about insufficient funds for waste management in the city with an estimated two million inhabitants. The dump in Kiteezi, about eleven kilometers from the city center, is reportedly the city's only landfill. Residents complain about health hazards and pollution due to the garbage mound.
Despite the Red Cross's efforts to find more survivors, the chances of finding any other alive individuals are minimal due to the heavy debris. The affected families are now seeking assistance at the Red Cross's designated camp, along with those rescued on Sunday.
