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Mozambique rubbish dump collapse kills 17 after heavy rains Mozambique rubbish dump collapse kills 17 after heavy rains
(35 minutes later)
At least 17 people have been killed after heavy rains caused the partial collapse of a rubbish dump in Mozambique, local media reports. At least 17 people have been killed after heavy rains caused the partial collapse of a rubbish dump in Mozambique.
A 15-metre high pile of rubbish collapsed, destroying seven houses, and rescuers fear more bodies may be buried under the debris.A 15-metre high pile of rubbish collapsed, destroying seven houses, and rescuers fear more bodies may be buried under the debris.
The accident, at the Hulene landfill in the capital, Maputo, happened at 3am local time. The accident, at the Hulene landfill, six miles from the centre of the capital, Maputo, happened at 3am local time.
Families living close to the site have fled their homes fearing another collapse.Families living close to the site have fled their homes fearing another collapse.
More follows… Reports suggested the houses were built illegally and officials had previously asked residents to leave.
  Despedida Rita, a councillor for Ka Mavota Municipal District, said: “Up to now 17 dead bodies were recovered. We fear more might be unaccounted for.
“So we will keep searching for bodies buried underneath the rubbish pile.”
A landslide at Ethiopia's largest rubbish dump last year claimed the lives of at least 65 people.
Residents blamed that collapse on construction work for a biogas plant being built on top of the rubbish pile.
As in Ethiopia, the dead in the Maputo collapse could include those squatting near the landfill site to scavenge.
The Hulene dump - the only official dump for Maputo's 3.5 million people - is located in a densely populated neighbourhood covering around 17 hectares.