The Guinean government announced that, following the collapse of layers of waste onto nearby homes in the vicinity of a waste disposal facility in Conakry, the country’s capital, at least 30 people have died.

It was also reported that another 22 people, including six with serious injuries, were hurt in the Dar-السلام area of the city.

In a statement, the government said that after this collapse at around 2 a.m. local time—following heavy rain throughout the night—numerous resources and forces, including the army, were deployed to the site to search for survivors.

A woman told local media that five of her children died in the incident. There are concerns that the death toll may rise.

While local residents had gathered near the site of the incident, rescue teams using mechanical shovels were seen searching and excavating among the vast mass of scattered waste there.

Guinea’s prime minister visited the site of the incident to assess the situation and oversee the search operations.

📷AFP via Getty Images