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Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 18:00
17 killed in garbage dump collapse in Mozambique
By Associated Press
Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 18:00 By Associated Press

Rescuers recover a body as they search for survivors at the collapse of a garbage mound in Maputo, Mozambique, Feb 19, 2018. Mozambican media say heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of the mound garbage. (FERHAT MOMADE / AP)

JOHANNESBURG — Heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of a huge mound of garbage in Mozambique's capital on Monday, killing 17 people who were buried by debris.

The Hulene garbage dump is the largest such facility in Maputo

Authorities believe more bodies could be buried at the Hulene garbage dump on the outskirts of Maputo, and a search was underway. The garbage in the poor, densely populated area where the disaster happened rose to the height of a three-story building, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Lusa and Radio Mocambique both reported 17 deaths. Half a dozen homes were destroyed and some residents in the area fled for fear of another collapse.

"The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences," Fatima Belchior, a national disaster official, told Lusa. Authorities are trying to help people who lost their homes, she said.

This Feb 19, 2018 photo shows rescuers searching for survivors at the collapse of a garbage mound in Maputo, Mozambique. (FERHAT MOMADE / AP)

The Hulene garbage dump is the largest such facility in Maputo. People often comb through the garbage, searching for food and items to sell.

Health workers have long raised concerns about the impact of the fumes, flies and other hazards of the dump on the surrounding community. Municipal officials have previously discussed the closure of the dump.

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