Seventeen Sierra Leoneans have been confirmed dead following the devastating landfill landslide in Dar-es-Salam, Gbessia, Conakry, Guinea, as Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation continues to work with Guinean authorities and the Sierra Leone Embassy in Conakry to account for those affected.
In an update issued on 28 August 2026, the Ministry said a joint identification exercise involving Guinean authorities and Sierra Leone Embassy officials at designated hospital mortuaries in Conakry confirmed that 17 of the deceased were Sierra Leonean nationals, comprising 14 men and three women.
Heavy rains triggered the collapse of a massive mound of waste at the Dar-es-Salam landfill on 23 August, burying nearby shacks and other structures. International reports initially put the overall death toll at around 30, while Sierra Leone’s latest official update says Guinean authorities have reported 34 fatalities as identification and recovery efforts continue.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has confirmed that 54 Sierra Leoneans survived the disaster. They include 32 women, 17 men and five minors.
Apparently, immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, clothing and essential supplies, has been provided to the survivors.
Further consular and humanitarian needs are also being assessed in coordination with relevant authorities as Sierra Leone continues its response to the tragedy.
The Sierra Leone Embassy in Conakry is continuing to work with Guinean authorities to verify outstanding cases and account for Sierra Leoneans who may still be missing.
At the centre of these efforts is the need to provide accurate information to affected families while ensuring that all victims are properly identified.
Government of Sierra Leone has extended its deepest condolences to families and loved ones of Sierra Leonean nationals who died in the disaster.
It also expressed solidarity with Government and people of Guinea during what has been described as a difficult and tragic period.
The Ministry further acknowledged cooperation and assistance provided by Guinean authorities throughout the recovery, identification and humanitarian response.
Given the sensitivity and evolving nature of the situation, the Ministry has urged members of the public to treat information concerning casualties and missing persons with caution.
Citizens are being encouraged to rely only on verified information issued through official channels as authorities continue their work.
Taken together, the latest update confirms the devastating impact of the Dar-es-Salam landfill collapse on Sierra Leonean families living in Guinea, with 17 lives now officially confirmed lost and dozens of survivors requiring continued assistance.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers faced by communities living around vulnerable landfill sites, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.