📷 Death toll from Kiteezi landfill collapse rises to 21
Onyango noted that those displaced by the disaster will be relocated to a safer area on Kiteezi Church of Uganda land, where they will stay temporarily.
Relatives mourn for their loved ones who perished after the Kiteezi landfill collapse in Kawempe Division, the death toll has today increased to 17 from 14 of yesterday (Saturday). (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
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KAMPALA - The death toll from the Kiteezi landfill collapse in Kawempe Division rose to 21, as search efforts were halted at dusk on Sunday following the recovery of seven additional bodies.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, confirmed that by Saturday evening, 13 bodies including children had been recovered, and said the excavation process is still ongoing.
"We are still going to continue with the search, and no place will be left unturned," Onyango said, adding that the landfill has been closed until further notice.
Onyango noted that those displaced by the disaster will be relocated to a safer area on Kiteezi Church of Uganda land, where they will stay temporarily.
He also mentioned that the exact number of displaced individuals has not yet been determined, though it is estimated that over 1,000 people have been affected by the garbage slide.
"We estimate over 1,000 people to have been displaced by the garbage slide. We are going to sit with the local authorities and landlords," he added.
The rescue team includes personnel from the Uganda Police, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry for Disaster Preparedness, Red Cross Society and community members.
In a statement, Kampala Capital City Authority attributed the garbage slide that occurred after a downpour on the night of Friday, August 9, 2024, to structural failure.
"The landfill had a structural failure in waste mass this morning resulting in a collapsed section of the landfill. The level of damage is still being assessed. Our teams, along with other government agencies are on ground taking the necessary measures to ensure the area is secure and to prevent any further incident," the statement issued Saturday afternoon said.
The 36-acre landfill was established in 1996 and is the dump for almost all garbage collected across Kampala.
Here are photos from the search efforts on Sunday, August 11, 2024, all by Vision Group's multimedia journalist Simon Peter Tumwine;
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Rescuers and Uganda Red Cross Society officials retrieve a dead body from the rubble.
17 bodies have been recovered including children.
Several excavators are on ground in search of anyone or dead bodies still stuck in the rubble.
Uganda Red Cross Society retrieving bodies from the rubble.
The pain and tears when your loved one is among those discovered from the rubble.
Relatives in tears after Police found more dead bodies today.
Houses at risk are being demolished by residents and property therein is retrieved.
