Ethiopia garbage dump avalanche kills at least 46
- 7 years ago
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — At least 46 people were killed when a huge mountain of garbage collapsed in Ethiopia on Saturday.
Ethiopian authorities blamed construction work for a new biogas plant for the deadly landslide at the Koshe garbage dump in Addis Ababa, the Guardian reported.
Bulldozers levelling ground for the plant increased pressure on the landfill, causing it to collapse and engulf the homes of nearby squatters.
Addis Ababa is home to 4 million people. The city produces some 300,000 tons of waste each year and most of it is dumped at the Koshe landfill, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Koshe, which means “dirt” in local slang, was home to about 350 squatters, living in makeshift housing built on the rubbish. Around 500 people scavenge at the 74-acre landfill, sorting through the garbage to try and make a living.
Despite the country’s rapidly growing economy, nearly 20 million Ethiopians still live below the poverty line set by the World Bank.
Ethiopian authorities blamed construction work for a new biogas plant for the deadly landslide at the Koshe garbage dump in Addis Ababa, the Guardian reported.
Bulldozers levelling ground for the plant increased pressure on the landfill, causing it to collapse and engulf the homes of nearby squatters.
Addis Ababa is home to 4 million people. The city produces some 300,000 tons of waste each year and most of it is dumped at the Koshe landfill, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Koshe, which means “dirt” in local slang, was home to about 350 squatters, living in makeshift housing built on the rubbish. Around 500 people scavenge at the 74-acre landfill, sorting through the garbage to try and make a living.
Despite the country’s rapidly growing economy, nearly 20 million Ethiopians still live below the poverty line set by the World Bank.